About Us

I'm Gemma and my core training is as a person-centred counsellor. Alongside more general client work in private practice, I also have experience of working with survivors of sexual abuse and sexual violence for a local specialist charity. This has given me an understanding of the impact that trauma can have on people's lives and what can be helpful when working to address it.

I work in a way to help clients feel heard, validated and empowered in an accepting and non-judgemental space, whilst exploring together to offer insight.

I hold a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from Staffordshire University and PGDip Counselling and Psychotherapy from University of Cumbria. I am also a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Hi, I’m Debbie and one of the things that often comes up when we first get enquiries is ‘I don’t know what to expect’. So, as a therapist, I feel it’s important that you know a bit about me and how a session might be.

I work in quite a psychodynamic way. In other words, I’m quite direct with my observations and will offer thoughts and insights in a very honest and open manner (but always with empathy and kindness). I often use theoretical explanations & analagies to help you understand why you might be struggling with things.

You can bring anything you want to a session & we’ll explore it together, with the aim being to discover how you actually feel about your situation. This understanding is a starting point to find helpful ways to manage difficult situations in the future. By adapting our behaviours and having effective boundaries in place, it’s possible to break unhealthy habits, recognise triggers and implement effective coping mechanisms.

If you think I might be the type of therapist you need, just click the email me button or fill in the contact form & one of us will get back to you to have a more in-depth chat about your needs.

I hold a BA (Hons) in Counselling and Psychotherapy as well as a Masters degree in Human Relations (MA(HRM) and am a member of the BACP

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Hi, I’m Helena and have worked here at Open Minds for the last year. I work with a range of different issues in counselling and specialise in working with grief and bereavement.

If you have lost someone close to you and are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, unable to cope and wondering how you will manage your life again, grief counselling may be what you need.

Here at Open Minds you will find a warm, cosy room where you and your grief are respected and accepted, and you can talk openly and freely about your person who has died. All loss is welcomed and together we will explore ways to develop and cherish a lasting bond with your loved one, or maybe, if your relationship has been more difficult, you may want to work out how you can sit more comfortably with your memories of your relationship.

During sessions we will be able to spend time talking about what your person meant to you, which can be helpful as you begin to adjust to living with your loss. This can help you to feel more able to manage your life in the face of your significant loss.

It is often of benefit to look at the up-to-date thoughts about what is happening when we grieve and many people find it comforting and reassuring to have an understanding of what they are feeling and why.

I hold a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy and a BSc(Hons) Open degree

If any of the above resonates with you, please get in touch via the email button below.

Some of the issues we deal with:

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Depression
Anxiety and Phobias
Relationship Difficulties - couples and families
Life Transitions
Difficulties with Self-Esteem
Eating Issues
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Professional/Career Issues
Medical and Health Concerns
Stress Management
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Sexual Abuse / Domestic Violence
Spirituality
Gender Identity Support
LGBT Counseling
Grief, Loss, or Bereavement
Other Issues