Gemma’s approach and specialisms

Gemma works primarily from a person-centred approach, with the therapeutic relationship at the centre of her work. She provides a confidential and contained space where women can explore their experiences without judgement or expectations about how pregnancy, birth or motherhood are supposed to feel.

She also integrates principles from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT). ACT can help clients relate differently to difficult thoughts and emotions and reconnect with what matters to them. CFT can be particularly helpful when working with guilt, shame, self-criticism and feelings of not being good enough.

Gemma works collaboratively and in a trauma-informed way. Therapy is shaped around the individual woman and what she needs, with difficult experiences explored at a pace that feels manageable.

Perinatal Mental Health

Gemma specialises in supporting women with their emotional and psychological wellbeing during pregnancy and after birth.

Her experience in perinatal mental health began before her psychotherapy practice. She spent four years co-running a community-based organisation supporting mothers during the perinatal period and beyond. She also volunteered with the PANDAS Foundation, working directly with parents experiencing perinatal mental health difficulties.

She has completed specialist Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Awareness training through the Institute of Health Visiting, giving her an additional understanding of mental health during pregnancy and the postnatal period.

Gemma's approach provides space for women to talk openly about their emotional experience during a period that can involve considerable psychological as well as practical change. Therapy is centred on the individual woman's experience rather than assumptions about what pregnancy or new motherhood should look or feel like.

Motherhood, Identity and Emotional Wellbeing

Becoming a mother can bring significant changes to identity, relationships, priorities and the way a woman experiences herself. Gemma has a particular interest in supporting women through this transition and beyond.

Her work provides space to explore the emotional impact of motherhood alongside the person you were before becoming a mother and the person you are becoming. This can include changes in confidence and self-esteem, feeling overwhelmed, difficulties with boundaries, self-criticism or struggling to recognise yourself within the demands of caring for someone else.

Gemma also understands that maternal mental health does not end with the immediate postnatal period. She works with women beyond the early stages of motherhood who want space to think about their own emotional wellbeing, relationships, needs and identity.

Her person-centred approach allows these experiences to be explored without prescribing what motherhood should mean to you. Compassion-Focused Therapy can also be particularly useful when guilt, self-judgement or feelings of not doing enough have become difficult to manage.

Pregnancy, Birth and Birth Trauma

Gemma supports women with the emotional impact of pregnancy and birth, including experiences that have been difficult, frightening or traumatic. She has completed specialist Birth Trauma Training with Make Birth Better and works in a trauma-informed way.

Therapy provides space to process what happened and how the experience has affected you, without pressure to revisit events before you feel ready.

Gemma has also undertaken specialist training in supporting women during and after pregnancies affected by Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG). She understands that the psychological impact of a physically difficult pregnancy can continue beyond the pregnancy itself and provides space for these experiences to be recognised and processed.

Her work can also include difficult experiences around feeding and other aspects of pregnancy, birth and early motherhood. Her approach remains centred on the woman's own experience and what has been significant for her.