What is Walking Free Counselling?

Walking Free Counselling (WFC) is an approach to counselling former members and survivors of coercive, cultic and spiritual abuse, and religious trauma. It usually consists of working through a specially designed Recovery Workbook or Gillie's book 'Walking Free from the Trauma of Coercive, Cultic and Spiritual Abuse: A Workbook for Recovery and Growth' in a conversation with a therapist trained to deliver WFC. The main aim of this is to help you understand your experience and how it has affected you and the way you think and feel. 

WFC usually involves about 20-26 hours of sessions, although this can be more or less, depending on circumstances. After completing the Recovery Workbook, some people choose to have a period of ongoing regular therapy, either with the same therapist or another.

UK 

Affiliates work flexibly via video conferencing or in person. Please note that whilst these people have completed a Certificate in Post-Cult Counselling training with Dr Gillie, they are responsible for their own practice.

Affiliates are listed in alphabetical order - please have a good look and see who might be the right person for you!

Walking Free Counselling in the UK

See below a selection of therapists trained in WFC and based in the UK. If you are interested in attending WFC please check out their bios and see who you would like to work with. 

Many of the UK therapists are Insured in the UK to work with Clients abroad. 

These are independent practitioners responsible for their own training and practice. 

Sophie Atkinson | Chelmsford, Essex | United Kingdom

BSc (Hons) Psychology, Diploma in Psychodynamic therapy, Certificate in Clinical Supervision, Certificate in Post Cult Counselling, MBACP Reg

An empathetic compassionate and non-judgemental approach are at the centre of therapeutic work. This allows for exploration of what has brought us to therapy as we do not always know why we feel unsettled or are struggling.

I am a psychodynamic therapist with my own private practice and consulting room. I have been qualified since 2009. I offer psychodynamic therapy to individual adults and couples. I also offer post cult counselling and psychoeducation to ex-cult, high demand, and coercive group members.

I specialise in narcissism and psychosexual work. I also focus my PCC work on small and family cultic groups and non-religious or faith-based groups as this is my personal experience.

For availability please contact me. 

Current spaces: 1

Available via Zoom & In-Person (Chelmsford, Essex)

sophie@sophie-atkinson.co.uk | Visit Sophie's Website

Nicola Atkins | Northern Ireland | United Kingdom

Hello! I am a BACP accredited therapist (BA, MA, MA Pluralistic Counselling) with seven years’ experience. I welcome clients who have suffered from cultic abuse in both group and one-to-one settings. I have worked with ex-members from a wide variety of cultic backgrounds, including: Christian and pseudo-Christian churches and sects; New Age and mystical groups; sex cults, and; people suffering the effects of relationships with traumatising narcissists. With a background in trauma work, I offer an environment where experiences are revisited and processed in a safe way that is not re-traumatising. My approach is gentle and empathic and focused. Shame and embarrassment are often (wrongly) felt by ex-members. Please be assured that you will be treated with dignity and respect. I am currently undertaking training in psychosexual therapy and EMDR.

Available via Zoom & In-Person (Portadown/Banbridge, Northern Ireland)

 nicolaknightcounselling@hotmail.com 

Marguerite Cockerill | Wimbledon/London | United Kingdom

BA (Hons) MBACP

I’m Marguerite -  an integrative psychotherapist offering individual therapy from my busy London-based private practice. I have 15 years of experience working with adults and young people. A warm and vibrant therapeutic relationship is at the heart of my work. Each of my clients is seen, valued, respected and given a safe space for their story to be told.

I work with clients who wish to consider matters of faith and spirituality as part of the therapeutic work and have specialised training in spiritual abuse and post cult recovery.

Often I will use psychoeducation alongside relational therapy to help a client understand the impact religious trauma can have on identity, trust, relationships and overall emotional wellbeing.

I will always approach this work without judgement and with great sensitivity, respecting a person’s personal beliefs. I work with people of any faith or none.

Current spaces: 1

Available via Zoom & In-Person (London/Wimbledon)

margueritecockerill@hotmail.com | Visit Marguerite's Website

Claire Alison Hams | Surrey/London | United Kingdom

MBACP Registered, NCPS Accrd

I myself was born and raised as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. I left as an adult and recognise the unique form of grief that comes with the process of leaving and restarting a life outside of any high control environment. Wanting to equip myself with further insight, to work in an informed way with former cult members, I trained with Dr Gillie Jenkinson. I use the post-cult counselling workbook for recovery and growth with my clients. I work regularly with former members and survivors of various cultic groups and relationships, including spiritual abuse, religious trauma, coercive control and partner abuse.

I trained initially as a psychodynamic counsellor (which aims to understand our patterns of behaviour and family dynamics). I subsequently obtained my honours degree in counselling from University of Greenwich. Currently I am doing doctoral research with the University of Chester, specifically exploring born in/raised ex-Jehovah's Witnesses experiences of therapy.

I am qualifying as a Clinical Supervisor, completing my training hours and offering reduced cost supervision to counsellors working with post cult, religious trauma and spiritual abuse recovery. 

Current spaces: 1

Available via Zoom & In-Person (London/Surrey)

clairealisoncounselling@gmail.com | Visit Claire's Website

Pauline Hewitt | Northern Ireland | United Kingdom

BA (Hons), MBACP (Accred), Europe Accredited EMDR Consultant

Psychotherapist/Clinical Supervisor

Practicing from 2007,  I have specialized in trauma informed therapy including EMDR, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and CBT working with those suffering from post traumatic stress, anxiety, depression and much more.  I am an accredited member of BACP (British Association of Counsellors & Psychotherapists) and a Europe Accredited EMDR Consultant.  I am passionate about helping people find freedom from adverse and traumatic situations in their childhood/adult lives that has changed the way they view themselves, others and the world.  This includes coercive and controlling environments within cult, religion, church, family or workplace.  Particular experience is with those who have suffered spiritual abuse/trauma within mainstream/evangelical church settings.

Completing the Post Cult Counselling Certificate has provided further understanding and skills to help survivors to heal and find freedom from the traumatic impact involved from these abusive situations through a safe, confidential and empathic space, enabling understanding and awareness to process their experience. 
 

Current waiting list: 6 weeks

Available via Zoom & In-Person (Hillsborough, NI)

hello@edentherapies.org | Visit Pauline's Website

Vicky Kalis | Northern Ireland | United Kingdom

MA Couns.&Psych., BA (Hons) Couns. – MBACP, RegCOSRT, Reg. ACC

Psychotherapist/Clinical Supervisor/Trainer

I am an Integrative Psychotherapist and been in private practice since 2009. I specialise in working with clients who have experienced trauma through coercive, cultic, religious/spiritual abuse in either mainstream Churches or their offshoots, high-control groups, families or one to one relationship’s. I also specialise in porn and sex compulsivity and sexual difficulties as a result of teachings within those contexts.

Much like the art of kintsugi, I believe beauty can come from areas of struggle and brokenness given the right conditions. I aim to provide a safe, supportive and non-judgemental space for clients to gain a greater sense of safety and stabilisation in their lives, enable understanding of their experiences and consider the changes they may wish to make.  Recovery and reclaiming your life look different for everyone. I offer general individual psychotherapy, trauma therapy and Post Cult counselling.

Available via Zoom

Speciality: Cultic, Religious Trauma, Sexual difficulties

therapy@compassionrestoration.uk | Visit Vicky's Website

Sarah Nicholson | Sheffield | United Kingdom

MSc -  UKCP Accredited & Registered Psychotherapist 

Welcome to my profile. I am committed to providing therapy in a safe, confidential, supportive, non-judgmental and non-threatening environment. 

My aim is to help you to make sense of your experiences, how you are in relationships and in the world. I work collaboratively with you, in the hope that we can resolve issues and co-create change. 

I have 15 years experience working as a psychotherapist. Within the NHS I have a Psychotherapy role in a specialist service working with trauma. Alongside, I run a private practice offering Psychotherapy and Post-Cult Counselling (PCC). I am an ex-cult member myself, and have experience of working with ex-members from a variety of cultic groups/one-to-one relationships.

I offer an initial consultation without obligation or fee. If you would like some time to talk about your experience, how therapy could help, or ask any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

For availability and to find out more, please contact 

Available via Microsoft Teams, Zoom and telephone - across the UK and Internationally

sarahjlnicholson@gmail.com | Visit Sarah's Website

Kate Satrettin | Kent | United Kingdom

BSc Hons Psychology, MSc Applied Psychology, Registered MBACP (Psychodynamic Certificate & Diploma)

I am a psychodynamic counsellor who supports clients with a variety of struggles, including: anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, loss and bereavement, cultural and sexual identity. 

I was born and raised as a Jehovah’s Witness and after choosing to leave, I didn’t appreciate what impact that experience had had on me. After suffering with my mental health, I decided to have therapy and it was life changing. I then decided to train as a counsellor myself. After qualifying as a psychodynamic counsellor, I went onto train as a post-cult counsellor with Dr Gillie Jenkinson. I now work with former survivors of cultic groups, highly controlled religions and abusive relationships who may have experienced religious trauma, undue influence and coercive control.

Prior to training as a counsellor, I worked for the NHS’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) helping to produce a large range of mental health guidelines.

Current spaces: 1

Available via Zoom or Phone & In-Person (Sevenoaks, Kent)

Speciality: Former members of high control religions and cults (inc. ex-JWs)

Kate@Satrettin.co.uk | Visit Kate’s Website

Alice Yendle-Parsons | Derby | United Kingdom

MA MBACP (Accred)

Alice is an experienced and qualified integrative psychotherapist/counsellor, clinical supervisor and lecturer with a Master’s Degree in her field. She is also a registered accredited member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

She is qualified to work with clients of all ages in individual, couple and family therapy.

Alice works integratively; drawing on her training and qualifications in theories including Psychodynamic, Systemic, Person Centred, Solution Focussed Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. 

Alice specialises in relational issues, intimate partner relationships, relational trauma and recovery from high control relationships/groups/individuals and cults. She is currently working on a PhD with Edinburgh University linked to these areas. 

Available via Zoom & In-Person (Derby, United Kingdom)

enquiries@empowertherapies.co.uk | Visit Alice's Website