Gemma | Psychotherapist

Psychotherapy Pontefract

Couples & Relationship Therapy - Tailored for Life’s Complexities

Modern relationships are evolving, and so are the pressures couples face.

Relationship Therapy offers a safe space to talk things over and consider how to bring about change or acceptance in your relationships. Lots of the time people come in crisis so we need to slow things down and look at the roots of the issues. I aim to work alongside clients to help them gain self-acceptance and hope, whilst also being with them through painful and difficult moments.

I hold a non-judgmental and open-hearted approach to what every person brings. The focus is on building a strong trusting therapeutic relationship between us all, from which to support each person to consider what feels most important to them and show up with authenticity.

My relationship is to 'your relationship' rather than to you as individuals, this can feel a change for those who have been in 1:1 therapy before.

I utilise a range of approaches which is often called 'Integrative Therapy'. I may be directive at times and offer ideas about techniques to try in the session or at home, where relevant I can help people understand things using ideas from neuroscience, for example, how the brain automatically reacts in certain situations. Early life experiences with parents/carers/ family systems can shape our future relationships, this is called Attachment Theory. This may be something to explore if it feels relevant in our work together.

I will help partners to develop their communication skills as a core theme to enable people to explore challenging topics with validation, empathy and compassion for themselves and their partner, as I strongly believe it is more about 'how' you say something that what you actually say. I will always be drawing our attention to the conscious and unconscious dynamics at play, to help you build a relationship based on honestly, trust and growth.

I offer both long and short term work depending on client's needs and circumstances.