Counselling and Psychotherapy
About me
I understand the importance of being able to trust someone with your personal thoughts and emotions. It is never easy to share your innermost thoughts and feelings, especially if you don't know the person you're confiding in. So, I thought you might like to know a little bit about me.
I am a huge animal lover and have learned my empathy and support from working with animals my entire life. I began my career at age 15 in a boarding and rescue kennels and cattery, eventually having the opportunity to train and qualify as a veterinary nurse. I dedicated 17 years to this profession before deciding to diversify into counselling.
I chose to pursue counselling because I felt a genuine connection with people and an ability to listen and understand and form true connections with people.
After almost 4 years of study, I qualified as a counsellor and have worked with many clients, meeting a variety of individuals with different needs for support. I truly thrive in the moment with my clients, providing the empathy and support they require.
During my studies, I also got married. We don’t have children together, but our many pets keep us busy and entertained. We cherish our nephews and nieces, and our little family is part of what brings us joy.
One of my favorite hobbies is going on caravan holidays in the UK! Alongside my private counselling work, I also volunteer at Mind, the mental health charity, and with a local animal rescue, where I foster their more nervous rescue animals and assist with their fundraising fairs.
For self-care, I enjoy woodland walks to connect with nature, or visiting a beach- anywhere in the UK is good for me! I enjoy a pamper at home- a hot bubble bath and a face mask helps me relax. Otherwise, you’ll find me training my dogs, trying to tire out our excitable Staffordshire bull terriers cross-breeds! I also love spending time with our cats and spend quite a lot of time caring for our tortoise-she's more work than you'd think! But we love her :)
I have faced my own mental wellness challenges, having lived with anxiety and low mood, and I've worked on myself to overcome these issues. I have experienced burnout in my previous career and struggled with anxiety, low self-esteem, lack of confidence, compassion fatigue and imposter syndrome.
Additionally, I have dealt with a lot of bereavement in my life, which has come with its own difficulties. Each of these personal experiences has deepened my understanding and empathy for others and has empowered me to be there for you in your moments of need.
That's me!
My approach
I am a qualified counsellor with a keen interest in working with clients struggling with bereavement and self-esteem issues.
I mostly work in a person-centred modality -this is a form of talking therapy which is led by you, the client, allowing for a unique journey at your own pace. There’s no homework or guidance; we explore your thoughts and emotions when you’re ready, helping you to understand your feelings.
I am also trained in mindfulness, compassion-focused therapy, bereavement counselling and solution focused therapy.
As a member of the BACP (British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists), I adhere to their ethical guidelines to ensure my practice is safe and ethical.
I prioritise confidentiality and strive to be my true self as a counsellor, providing empathy and understanding when you need it most.
Importantly, if you choose to reach out, please trust that I will never judge you. I will listen, support you, and be with you every step of the way. I look forward to meeting you.
Gemma.