Gemma Sands

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she/her
PGDip
Accepting new clients
Accepting new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

location_on Liverpool L17 & L7
Accepting new clients
Accepting new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Maybe you're here because you're feeling anxious or depressed, you've been through a breakup, recently lost someone you love or you're trying to figure out things from your past. You're not yourself, feeling overwhelmed and not sure why? 

If you're looking to speak to someone who really understands what you are going through, you're in the right place.

I am here to offer a space for you to explore your emotions through therapy with someone kind and compassionate.

Hi, I'm Gemma. I offer a warm and caring environment and a place to be yourself, helping you navigate life's challenges and find your path toward healing and growth. I work in an integrative way, offering different approaches for each client- the same tools don't always work for everyone, so I always try to offer a tailored experience for each person I work with.

I am an accredited Psychotherapist with the NCPS and a registered member of the BACP and I work with a range of clients experiencing various issues such as;

  • Trauma
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Managing chronic illness
  • Grief and bereavement
  • ADHD
  • Terminal illness
  • Loneliness and relationships with parents and significant others 
  • Members of the LGBTQIA+ community
  • Fertility issues

With lived experience of a long-term medical condition, and suicide bereavement, I know the value of being heard by someone who understands you.

Whatever you're going through, I am here to listen and support you on your journey toward greater self-discovery and emotional well-being.

I currently work within a Cancer Support charity  supporting people who are terminally ill or have long term conditions and their love ones.

I work privately seeing clients 1-2-1 in person and online.

I also work with a charity supporting men in suicidal crisis as a Suicide Prevention Therapist.

I am a qualified Fertility Counsellor supporting those going through IVF and other fertility pathways.

Much of my work is based around trauma and grief, I work with many clients who are neuro-diverse and have long-term conditions such as Endometriosis, Crohn's disease, Cancer, and degenerative health conditions.

I also specialize in working with LGBTQIA+/GSRD clients, something I am very passionate about. I understand the unique issues faced by those questioning their gender or who are on their transition journey having worked with Trans and Gender diverse/ Gender non-conforming individuals for the last year. I am very lucky to love what I do and enjoy meeting and working with a variety of clients from all different walks of life.

A little about me

I am from Liverpool and I live there with my partner and our little black cat, I love spending time in nature. My background is in social care and I  have worked with adults with learning and physical disabilities for the last 8 years. I also have a background in working in events and theatre/ live music industry. I am passionate about social justice and human rights.

I can see clients in person at Counselling rooms in Aigburth close to Lark Lane, about a 10-minute drive from the city centre. I do walk-and-talk therapy in Sefton Park on good weather days. I see clients online which is a great option for you to have counselling from the comfort of your own home, easy and convenient. I offer discounted block bookings for online sessions

I currently have limited availability; Monday 10am-8pm and tuesday/Wednesday/friday evenings 6-8pm and weekend mornings. I tend to see online clients on Thursday evenings.

Client Testimonies:

"Just want you to know that since speaking with you, you have helped me immensely and gave me a better outlook on everything! "

"thank you for all your help, I now understand more about myself and I don't feel like such a burden anymore."

"thank you for today, you've really been so helpful the last few months!"

"being able to talk to someone who understands has been invaluable, you helped me at a time when nobody else was there."

"you are a diamond, you have been so lovely and kind!"

Check out my website or social media for more information and to get an insight into if I am the right therapist for you.

I have completed the following training-

  • Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice
  • Counselling Skills Level 3
  • BICA foundation course 2-day training- Fertility Counselling

Further Training and CPD completed

  • BICA foundation Fertility counselling
  • BICA advanced Fertility counsellor training
  • ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Training Day
  • The Reality of Working With Sexual Violence Trauma Training
  • The Psychology of sex and kink
  • Child Bereavement
  • Mental Health First Aid Level 3
  • Suicide Bereavement with Dr Rachel Gibbons
  • Supporting Patients and Their Families with Bereavement and Loss
  • ACES childhood adverse experiences training
  • Motivational interviewing level 1
  • Suicide awareness training
  • Oliver McGowan Foundation training

Training, qualifications & experience

  • Level 7 PGDIP Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice
  • Level 3 Counselling skills
  • Mental Health First Aider
  • Suicide Awareness Training
  • Child Bereavement Training
  • Supporting patients and families with bereavement and loss
  • BICA foundation course for fertility counselling

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.

Areas of counselling I deal with

Therapies offered

Fees

£48.00 per session

Concessions offered for

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

Additional information

I do offer a sliding scale for some clients, please enquire for more information 

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

I tend to work Mondays all day, Tuesday Wednesday Friday evenings for in person sessions, and Saturday mornings. Online clients I usually see on a Thursday evenings.

Liverpool, Merseyside, L17

Lockerby Road, Liverpool, Merseyside, L7

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 info

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

Wheelchair user access info
Wheelchair user access

Wheelchair-accessible premises should have step-free access for wheelchair users and individuals who are unable to climb stairs. If a Counsellor's premises aren't step-free, they may offer alternative services such as telephone/web-based appointments, home visits, or meeting clients in different location, so you can choose the option that suits you best.

You can contact the Counsellor to discuss the options available.

Under the Equality Act 2010 service providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access their service. You can read more about reasonable adjustments to help you to access services on the CAB website.

two of the premisses I operate from are wheelchair accessible, if you would like more information please drop me a message

Online platforms

Doxy

Social