Gemma Gatward , BACP

Gemma Gatward is a UK-based therapist with nine years of professional experience supporting people through relationship struggles, family conflicts, parenting challenges and mood concerns such as depression and anxiety. She has developed particular expertise in working with childhood trauma, post-traumatic stress, and issues related to intimacy, attachment and abandonment. Her practice also addresses stress, grief, self-esteem, bipolar management, sexual assault and abuse recovery, and transitions connected to pregnancy and young adulthood.

Working from a client-centered orientation, Gemma places the person and their individual experience at the heart of the therapeutic process. She adapts conversations and treatment plans to reflect each person’s priorities and pace, offering a respectful, sensitive and compassionate space for exploration. Her approach aims to help clients make sense of patterns in relationships, improve communication, and build practical skills for coping with life changes.

Gemma is credentialed with the BACP, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, which reflects professional membership and adherence to recognized standards in the UK. She offers appointments within specified hours in GMT and frames the first step into therapy as a courageous and important decision, committing to support people as they work toward greater wellbeing and fulfilment.

Client-centered care and online therapy options

Client-Centered Therapy is the cornerstone of Gemma’s practice. This approach emphasizes empathy, active listening and following the client’s lead so that sessions focus on what matters most to the individual. It is well suited to work on relationship patterns, attachment concerns, self-esteem and the emotional impact of trauma.

Alongside a client-centered stance, Gemma emphasizes a tailored, collaborative way of working that adapts to each person’s needs and goals. She partners with clients to identify priorities, experiment with ways of relating and build practical coping strategies, framing the therapeutic relationship as a cooperative process.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility for those balancing work, family and other commitments. Gemma provides support via video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging, enabling people to choose the format that fits their comfort and schedule. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, access support from home, and work on issues such as grief, parenting, trauma recovery and relationship difficulties without needing to travel.