About me
Taking the first steps towards counselling can often feel like a daunting prospect (even if you've had therapy before). 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, in the presence of an empathic witness to our distress, issues that we've perhaps previously held alone can feel much more manageable.
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 offer a holistic approach that draws on several theoretical modalities to inform our work together 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.
Areas that I'm familiar working with;
As an active therapist for ten years I have experience across a wide range of issues, but In particular I am experienced in working with;
Low Self Esteem, Low Confidence, Anxiety, Attachment, Trauma, Complex Family Dynamics, Bereavement, loss, Depression, Caring for Family members with disabilities, or living with chronic illness.
What can you expect from working with me?
My aim in our work together is first and foremost to build a trusting and open relationship between us, which in turn allows for the deepening of the therapeutic relationship and opens the door to vulnerability and exploration. I'm an active and engaged therapist, and I love my work. I'm aware just how much bravery can be involved in opening up to a relative stranger, and my aim is to get to know you and what you need from our sessions so that you feel truly heard, held, understood and believed.
Therapy can be a confusing space to navigate, with lots of 'jargon' used. I've listed below some of the theoretical approaches from which I work, hopefully to make understanding 'what it's all about' a little bit easier;
- 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.
- EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique (also known as tapping) is a form of therapy used to hold us through strong emotional responses as you tap or hold different points on your own body, allowing for better regulation. A powerful tool that can help dissolve long standing emotional issues, reduce the potency of strong emotion and bring a sense of empowerment.
What happens next?
I welcome you to contact via email or an introductory call (you can book this through the 'book a call function). 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 email, or to book a call 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.
Emails are welcome at any time and I aim to reply as soon as I am able. I look forward to hearing from you
Where are you?
My office is a comfortable and welcoming space. I'm located in the heart of Montpellier, Cheltenham with available parking and easy access through transport routes.
Go gently,
Gemma
Training, qualifications & experience
- Psychology Bsc – The University of the West of England 2009
- Certificate in Counselling Skills - Gloucestershire Counselling Service
- Diploma in Professional Studies, Counselling (Level 6) – The University of the West of England 2015
- Transactional Analysis 101
- EFT Level 1&2 (Emotional Freedom Technique - also known as 'tapping') for Trauma 2024
- Diploma in Contemporary Trauma Practice (Completion 2025)
In addition to my formal trainings I adhere to ethical standards and partake in a significant amount of ongoing CPD relating to a wide variety of current therapeutic issues, in order to keep my knowledge up to date and current and to provide the best service for those that I work with.
Specialist areas;
Throughout my training and career in the therapeutic world I have worked with the charity sector as well as privately. I have encountered a wide range of presenting issues which include
Anxiety and anxiety related disorders
Stress and Depression
Family issues and Complex familial Dynamics
Caring roles
Living with Chronic Illness
Dementia
Loss and Bereavement (Including death, death by unusual circumstance, relational changes, employment etc)
I've worked with individuals of all ages and demographics but find that I have particular experience working with those in in their 30's and 40's who are looking to establish to establish themselves in the world, whilst resolving underlying issues
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.
Accredited register membership
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
We're now four years on from the beginning of the Covid Pandemic and throughout this time all of us navigated unchartered territory whilst also experiencing life's inevitable challenges. If you feel that there are experiences from this time period that you'd like to process more fully then I have a particular interest in this area.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£60.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
£60.00 per 50 minute session.
15 minute phone call consultation - Free of charge.
In awareness of the current financial challenges that many are facing, I hold a number of concessionary spaces to enable those that might not otherwise be able to access therapy privately. Please get in touch for more information.
When I work
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My availability on particular days can vary. Please do get in touch if you have a particular need in this area.
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.
