Gillian Bridge

Gillian Bridge studied English at Sussex University, and whilst she was there an innovative arts/science crossover programme was brought in which led to her reading 'The Double Helix' and discovering genetics - which prompted an ongoing curiosity about the scientific underpinnings of the behaviours that literature dealt with so creatively.

Teaching, lecturing, raising two children, practising as a Psycholinguistic Coach, and nurturing an enduring passion for Shakespeare filled the years prior to her returning to science, and the emergent (and exciting) discipline of neuroscience, to help her understanding, not only of the psyches of writers and their creations, but also of the erratic thinking and behaviour of people whose stories she was encountering in 'real' life.

Armed with an Addiction Therapy Diploma, Gillian worked as both drug and alcohol worker and teacher in a variety of prisons for four years, which gave her ever greater insight into the complex genetic, neurobiological and environmental factors that drive so much that is bizarre, desperate, and unwanted in the activities of the human species.

Since when she has worked extensively with other (non criminal) brain damaged, addicted, and autistic clients. This has all helped create a better understanding of: a) how any one of us - so called 'normal' or otherwise - makes meaning out of the avalanche of incoming data that we are constantly subjected to; b) the reason we feel this great urge to make 'meaning' in the first place.

So, what does this all mean for the way we see the world, make (and break) relationships, bring up our kids, deal with stimuli of every kind, and simply respond to matters like beauty, love and storytelling? These are the things that matter to her, and these are the topics she writes about.

Gillian now writes, works privately with clients in Harley Street and near her home in Surrey, and gives training in Resilience to schools and educators, as well as speaking on this essential and fascinating subject at conferences all around the country.