Gemma Slobom

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she/her/hers
Bsc (Psych), DPS (Counselling), MBACP. Online & Face to Face
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Cheltenham, GL50
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Taking the first steps towards counselling can often feel like a daunting prospect. At this stage you may be asking yourself; What is therapy? Can it help me? Do I really need it - I should be able to manage this on my own, shouldn't I?

Therapy, in simple terms, provides someone with a space to talk about their thoughts and feelings with someone who is truly prepared to step in to their world and to listen, free of judgement. When in the environment created by therapy, people often find themselves more able to talk freely and to voice things that they are perhaps, unable to with their family and friends, maybe even to say the things that they have never had the opportunity to before.

People enter therapy for a number of different reasons. Some may be experiencing a bereavement or a relationship breakdown. Some may be dissatisfied with their lives or be dealing with a loss of direction. Some may be reliving a traumatic event from the past and some may just have an overriding sense that all is not OK. All of these are valid reasons to consider entering into therapy, there is no eligibility threshold.

What sort of therapy do you offer?

As an Intergrative therapist I have studied a number of approaches to counselling, and I use a blend of these which varies depending on who you are, and what you need. How this looks in real terms varies from client to client, no two relationships will be the same, given that we are all individuals. I also tend to be quite relational in the way that I work, which means that I pay close attention to the relationship that develops between us, as therapist and client.

The theoretical approaches from which I work are as follows;

  • Person Centred Approach - A non directive form of therapy, which assumes that the client is the expert on their own process. Working from the core conditions of Congruence, Empathy and Unconditional Positive Regard.
  • Psychodynamic Theory - Hailing from Psychoanalytic Theory, the process of bringing the unconscious process in to the conscious mind and awareness.
  • Gestalt Therapy - Working in the here and now of the present moment to assist clients in developing a non- judgemental self awareness.
  • Transactional Analysis - A therapy underpinned by the assumption that we exist in and act from one of three ego states (Parent, Adult or Child) and interact from these positions.

What happens next?

I welcome you to contact via email or phone/ text. Following a discussion around your needs we may then look at booking an assessment session. This allows us to meet and to discuss in a little more detail what you hope to gain from counselling. It also helps to clarify whether you feel like I'm the right therapist for you - as this is intrinsic in building a trusting relationship.

In the event that you are not sure what you're looking for, you are welcome to contact via the telephone for an informal chat.

Whether you call, or we meet in person there is no obligation to enter into therapy, and your contact will be treated with confidence.

You are welcome to call between the hours of 9 am - 8 pm on weekdays. I may not always be able to answer as I may be with other clients, but do leave an answerphone message and I will return your call as soon as I'm able.

Emails are welcome at any time and I look forward to hearing from you

Gemma

Training, qualifications & experience

  • Psychology Bsc – The University of the West of England
  • Certificate in Counselling Skills - Gloucestershire Counselling Service
  • Diploma in Professional Studies, Counselling – The University of the West of England
  • Transactional Analysis 101

Specialist areas;

Prior to, and throughout my therapeutic training I have worked in the charity sector, supporting people with dementia and carers of people with a wide range of disabilities or health issues. My working history and understanding of these fields has left me with a passion to support people who may be affected by these issues in particular. However, I welcome anyone who may find themselves experiencing emotional distress.

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred).

Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision.

Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training.

All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.

Accredited register membership

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Photos & videos

Fees

£60.00 per session
Free initial telephone session

Concessions offered for

  • Low income
  • OAPs
  • Trainee counsellors
  • Unemployed

Additional information

Assessment session - £60.00

Ongoing sessions - £60.00 per 50 minute session.

Phone call consultation - Free of charge.

I hold some concessionary spaces for those in need, please contact me for more details.

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

 My usual working hours are as follows; 

Monday -Thursday 12pm-8pm

Further information

I work from a Regency Building in the Montpellier area of Cheltenham and currently offer both face to face and remote (Zoom/ Skype/ Phone) sessions depending on your preference and need. 

My Practice is easily accessible from all directions and has the benefit of being close to local amenities and on road parking. 

Cheltenham, GL50

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Adults
Older Adults
Employee Assistance Programme

Key details

If you have require accessible premises, please let me know of your needs in your contact email so that this can be taken into account.

Online platforms

Skype