Gemma Matthews

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she/her
PGDip

About me

I am a Person Centred Counsellor and Supervisor currently working online. I also offer phone appointments.

Counselling may be useful to you if you are experiencing some emotional upset or change. Maybe you are going through an immediate crisis, or have a sense of something not being right which is beginning to affect your day to day life. I aim to provide a safe, supportive and confidential space for you to talk through and explore your problems 

I have extensive experience supporting people affected by trauma and substance use and always endeavour to work in a trauma informed way. 

Training, qualifications & experience

I have a Post Graduate Diploma in Person Centred Counselling and am a registered member of the BACP. I also have a COSCA certificate in Clinical Supervision. 

My approach draws upon the work and theories of Carl Rogers and the Person-Centred Model. This is essentially a firm belief in you, the client, being the expert on your own life. My role as a counsellor is to help you explore your inner world, address problems and find solutions, while being an attentive and compassionate co-explorer. I aim to provide a warm and accepting space where you can feel safe and supported in looking at the difficulties troubling you.

My supervision approach is similar. I aim to offer a supportive and balanced relationship where you can feel safe to explore and be curious about your own processes and client work. 

I attend regular individual supervision, am committed to continuing my own professional development and growth and I participate in monthly group supervision.

When not in private practice, I work with Crew 2000 co-leading the counselling team, helping clients who use psycho-stimulant drugs, in a non-judgmental and harm reduction focussed way.

I volunteered within one of Edinburgh's most established counselling charities for eight years. This was something that was hugely meaningful for me and enriched and expanded my practice. 

I also provided counselling for young people at a specialised service within the PF charity. This was working with adults aged 18-24.

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

Areas of counselling I deal with

Other areas of counselling I deal with

  • Psycho-stimulant drugs (cannabis, cocaine, ketamine, speed, mdma) 

Therapies offered

Fees

Up to £65.00

Concessions offered for

  • check_circle Low income
  • check_circle OAPs
  • check_circle Students
  • check_circle Trainee counsellors
  • check_circle Unemployed
  • check_circle Refugees

Health Insurance/EAP

  • check_circle Aviva
  • check_circle Axa Health
  • check_circle BUPA
  • check_circle Health Assured
  • check_circle Saga
  • check_circle Vitality
  • check_circle WPA

Additional information

Providing an affordable and sustainable service is something which is very important me. I charge £65 per session with some lower cost sessions available for those on a lower income. 

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

I’m currently offering remote sessions only, either by video call or telephone. 

Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh, EH7

Type of session

Online
Phone

Types of client

Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Organisations
Employee Assistance Programme

Key details

PVG Scheme info

In Scotland, criminal records checks are carried out by Disclosure Scotland. Professionals working with children or vulnerable adults must join the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. You can learn more at mygov.scot , or contact this professional directly.

Online platforms

Zoom
FaceTime
Microsoft Teams
Whatsapp

Supervision

In person
Online

Person Centred Supervision offered from a peaceful spot on Broughton Street or Online

View supervision profile

Gemma Matthews
Gemma Matthews