Gemma Bigwood

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About me

Hi there,

Trying to find the right counsellor can feel really overwhelming, can’t it? You might just be looking for someone warm, local and easy to talk to. Someone who genuinely understands what you are going through and can offer the right kind of support.

My name is Gemma and I am a qualified integrative therapist. This means I draw from a range of therapeutic approaches depending on what you need. I work with adults and young people aged sixteen and over who are experiencing anxiety, low self esteem, trauma, ADHD traits, depression, family or relationship difficulties, burnout, overwhelm and intrusive thoughts. Many of my clients come to me feeling stuck, confused or exhausted from trying to cope alone.

I offer a calm, grounding and non judgemental space where you can talk openly, slow down and feel genuinely heard.

How I can help
My approach is gentle and completely centred around you. Whether you are dealing with general anxiety, panic, overthinking, people pleasing, trauma responses, OCD tendencies, grief, work related stress or emotional overwhelm, our sessions give you time and space to breathe, reflect and begin to understand what is happening for you.

I am neurodiversity aware and many clients come to therapy wondering whether they may have ADHD or autistic traits. You do not need a formal diagnosis to explore this. Together we can look at emotional regulation, masking, sensory overload, rejection sensitivity and how your brain works best so that you can develop new understandings and strategies for everyday life.

You will not be rushed. We explore things gently, with compassion, and always at a pace that feels safe.

My approach in the room
I listen deeply.
I stay curious.
I help you make sense of your thoughts, feelings and patterns.
I support you to understand what sits underneath your anxiety, self doubt or stuckness. We explore this together with patience and genuine care.

Therapy with me is about building trust, strengthening your inner voice, and finding out what you need to feel more grounded and in control.

Sessions
I offer both short term and long term therapy depending on what feels right for you. Sessions are usually weekly but I am happy to work flexibly if you need something different.

Location
My private practice is based in Eccleston Park in a peaceful garden therapy space. It is calm, quiet and surrounded by nature. It offers a private and gentle place for reflection and emotional rest.

Free consultation
If you would like to chat about working together, I offer a free consultation. It is an informal conversation to help you get a sense of me and to see whether we feel like a good fit. I am here to help you take that first step towards the support you deserve.

Working with adults
I support adults who are navigating a wide range of challenges. This may include managing stress, rebuilding confidence, understanding anxiety, coping with relationship or family issues, exploring trauma, or finding new ways of dealing with emotional overwhelm. My approach is compassionate and grounded in creating a safe and trusting environment where you can explore your experiences at your own pace.

Working with sixteen plus
I also work with young adults aged sixteen and over. Young people often come to me with exam stress, anxiety, peer pressures, emotional overwhelm or low self esteem. My goal is to offer a calm, supportive and non judgemental space where they can express themselves freely, develop resilience and build confidence in understanding their feelings.

Contact
Please get in touch if you would like to arrange a consultation.

Email
Please remember to check your junk or spam folder as replies occasionally land there.

Phone
07784 758 718

Instagram

Thrivenow.therapy

Training, qualifications & experience

I have a solid understanding in counselling, having completed a BSc (Hons) in Counselling and a FdSc in Integrative Counselling, which have provided me with in-depth knowledge and practical experiences.

Alongside my private counselling practice, I have many years of experience teaching counselling students. In my role as a counselling lecturer and subject leader, I design and deliver courses, mentor students, and ensure they receive high-quality education and support throughout their studies. My teaching experience, combined with my counselling practice, allows me to offer students a blend of theoretical understanding and practical application.

Additionally, I have spent over 16 years teaching young people (16-18), which has provided me with valuable experience working with teenagers. This experience has enhanced my ability to support students through the unique challenges they face during their formative years, both in educational settings and in counselling practice. Working with young people has further deepened my understanding of developmental needs and the importance of offering tailored, empathetic support.

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

Therapies offered

Photos & videos

Fees

£50.00 per session

Additional information

Concessions Available for:

  • Low-income individuals
  • OAPs (Older Age Pensioners)
  • Students
  • Trainee Counsellors
  • Unemployed individuals
  • Refugees
  • Single parents
  • Reduced fees for low-income individuals can be discussed on a case-by-case basis.

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Early morning
Morning
Early afternoon
Late afternoon
Evening

Please contact me if you don't see a time or day that is suitable as I may be able to accommodate different times to the above listed. 

Prescot, Merseyside, L34

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

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

Key details

DBS check

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

Online platforms

Google Meet
FaceTime
Microsoft Teams
Whatsapp