Gemma Kemish

I provide in-person sessions and online counselling via Google Meet. I also offer a free 15-minute introductory call to help you decide whether working together feels right.

Starting counselling can feel daunting, and I understand how important it is to feel safe, heard, and understood. My aim is to offer a supportive and non-judgemental space where we work at a pace that feels right for you.

I take an integrative approach to therapy, drawing from a wide range of modalities including art therapy, cognitive work, coaching, mindfulness, and somatic (body-based) practices. Together, we’ll explore which methods feel most helpful and tailor our sessions to suit your unique needs.

I have a particular interest in working with young people and have spent the past seven years supporting them in therapeutic settings. Prior to qualifying as a counsellor, I worked in secondary schools supporting neurodivergent students, including those with Autism and ADHD. I understand the pressures young people face in today’s world and offer a space where they can feel safe to explore, reflect, and grow.

I am a qualified adoption support counsellor, having completed specialist training through Barnardo’s to work with adults affected by adoption and fostering. This includes supporting adoptees, adoptive parents, birth relatives, and individuals involved in fostering, special guardianship (SGO), or kinship care. Whether these experiences are recent or part of your past, I offer a compassionate and confidential space to explore their impact and help you make sense of your journey.

I’ve been working as a therapist for eight years, supporting clients with a wide range of issues, including:

• Anxiety and depression

• Living with neurodiversity

• Adoption

• Gender and sexual identity

• Low self-esteem

• Self-harm and suicidal ideation

• Life transitions and decision-making

• Emotional abuse and dissociation

• Family issues and bereavement

If you're struggling with day-to-day life, relationships, or patterns of behaviour that feel unhelpful, counselling can offer a space to pause and reflect. You may be feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, low mood, or loss—or simply unsure of your next steps. Whatever brings you here, I offer a warm and respectful environment where you can begin to make sense of what’s troubling you.

I offer a free 20-minute phone call where we can talk briefly about what brings you to counselling. There’s no pressure to book a session—this is simply a chance for you to get a feel for how I work.

In our first session, we’ll explore your reasons for seeking therapy and carry out an informal assessment. We may touch on different areas of your life to help me understand your experiences and identify which therapeutic approaches might be most helpful. We’ll also discuss confidentiality, your expectations of therapy, and any goals or priorities you’d like to focus on.