Gisele Cotton

HPD, DSFH, AfSFH, MNCH (Reg), CNHC (Reg), NBMP (Reg), Montessori Practitioner

Brighton& Online

Maria Montessori once said, ‘Free the child’s potential and you will transform him into the world.’

This quote resonates deeply with my approach to working with children. Once you empower a child to harness their potential, they can then be an active participant in their own growth and development.

With a warm and compassionate nature, I am deeply committed to promoting the well-being of children and young people. I see myself as their personal cheerleader, celebrating their strengths and skills, and fostering their belief and trust in themselves. I firmly believe that children and young people are the experts on themselves, and I find great joy in supporting them as they cultivate their sense of autonomy.

Before I became a therapist, specialising in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy, I trained in the Montessori approach and had the privilege of being a Montessori Practitioner, where I discovered my passion for guiding children on their unique learning journeys. The Montessori philosophy, which emphasises treating each child as an individual, allowed me to act as a gentle facilitator, empowering children to unlock their potential and discover their true capabilities.

This experience laid a strong foundation for my journey as both a parent and a Learning Support Assistant (LSA) in a mainstream primary school in Hove. Working primarily with Year 6 children, I have observed the immense pressures they face, including SATs, transitioning to secondary school, and the onset of puberty, which can significantly impact their mental health.

Driven by a desire to help children overcome challenges, the decision to become a therapist was sparked by a personal experience during the COVID-19 pandemic when my own son, then 11 years old, grappled with intense anxiety and panic attacks triggered by grief.

Witnessing the transformative power of the solution-focused approach in just six sessions, I saw my son emerge as a calmer and happier individual, equipped with invaluable coping mechanisms that he still uses today, four years later.

This life-changing experience led me to realise that this therapeutic approach aligned naturally with my core beliefs and offered me a tangible way to actively support children.

I specialise in working with children aged 8 and above and am able to adapt my approach to work with those with additional needs, special educational needs, disabilities and neurodiversity.

I offer a complementary one-hour initial consultation which can be face to face or online, during which my main focus will be on your child; discussing their current situation, their best hopes for the therapy and how we can collaborate to bring about positive changes to support them in achieving their goals.

I also provide a helpful and age-appropriate explanation about how the brain works, ensuring that both your child and you have a clear understanding of the process, know what to expect and understand how you can support the process in-between sessions.

I’m fully insured, have an up-to-date Enhanced DBS certificate and a member of the following professional bodies:

• National Board for Modern Psychotherapy (NBMP)
• Association For Solutions Focused Hypnotherapy (AFSFH)
• National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH)
• Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)