Gemma Spooner (MBACP)

My training to become a Humanistic counsellor began back in 2006. I had a young family and felt I wanted some time just for me, and that’s when I decided to enrol on a part time course. That first introductory counselling skills course really interested me so I decided to try it. I really enjoyed it, and had no doubt that I wanted to take that training further to become fully qualified. 

 

I have a background of working in a caring capacity, and so always enjoyed supporting other people. My initial counselling training spanned 4 years and involved engaging in my own personal therapy, and so I have experience in sitting in the clients chair too, which I think enhances my understanding of the therapeutic process and how it can feel to come for counselling. 

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So, although I began my training almost by chance, my decision to continue was with the knowledge that I was passionate about counselling and becoming a therapist. I feel strongly that counselling can be life changing and it feels an absolute privilege to sit with people and support them through difficult times in their lives. 

 

I have several years’ experience of counselling in an educational setting, where I created a successful counselling service working with young people between the ages of 11 – 18 years old and adults. 

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I am experienced in 1:1 counselling sessions and group work with young people. 

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I also work within the NHS as an associate counsellor for an Employee Assistance Programme. 

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I have trained in a number of different areas, including working with self-harming behaviours, anxiety disorders and bereavement in young people, to name a few. 

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Counsellors may use different approaches in their work with clients. Person Centred therapy is the theory that underpins my work, but I use an integrative approach which means I draw from many different counselling models, depending on the individual person and the issues they bring to therapy. I work in a way that suits your needs, and what you hope to get from counselling. 

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I am a fully registered member of BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) and I follow their code of conduct in my work as a therapist. For more information on the BACP, please follow the link www.bacp.co.uk 

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I engage in monthly clinical supervision with a qualified counselling supervisor which helps me to keep working in my clients best interests, and I regularly engage in continuing professional development (CPD) to ensure that I continually improve and reflect on my practice.