Gemma Sands
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This professional is available for 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 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
Additional information
I do offer a sliding scale for some clients, please enquire for more information
When I work
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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.