Gemma Makoric
COUNSELLOR
Integrative Young People & Adult Counsellor
Hypnotherapist
(Online Only)
NCPS
About me
My name is Gemma and I use she/her/they pronouns. I have been working in mental health and wellbeing since 2006 and have experience of working with adults and young people, individuals and families. I have worked within various settings and with diverse client groups, for example in a women’s refuge, with ex-offenders and alongside addiction recovery services. Previously I have worked in equine therapy, and as part of a peer support project teaching coping strategies and self-help skills.
I use an integrative approach and find that having a variety of modalities to choose from means each individual will receive tailored support, depending on their needs and presenting issues. I find that different people respond to different therapeutic approaches, (everyone is unique after all) so it is helpful to have a variety of tools in the toolkit to draw upon. I am a trained hypnotherapist, and in EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) as well as traditional counselling.
Previously I have worked in equine therapy, primarily with young people but with adults also; as part of a peer support project enabling those with lived experiences of mental health difficulties to share their coping strategies, provide support and inspiration for the wider community. Within the past few years I have been volunteering with Frontline19; providing counselling and therapeutic support to frontline workers who have given so much to the community throughout the pandemic.
Counselling Individuals (Adults)
What we do in our sessions will depend on you. Every person is different, with different circumstances, different personalities, different life experiences; so of course everyone’s counselling journey is different too. Confidentiality and a non-judgemental space are important to everyone and sometimes that might be all you need. You might have specific ideas about what will be helpful to you, or you might have no idea, both are fine (or anything in between) we can figure it out together.
Counselling Individuals (CYP)
In the same way that adults all have have different needs and experiences young people do too. Some young people are able to talk about their experiences, others prefer a more creative approach. I won’t tell you what to do, or judge you for your choices; I will offer a safe space to figure things out. Whatever it is that’s important to you, is important to me too.
Clients I work with
Individuals with long, short and medium term goals, young people (from 15+), and students/counsellors in training. I have a special interest in neurodiversity and welcome clients with autistic or adhd diagnosis’.
How I deliver therapy
I am currently providing therapy online via zoom, Whatsapp video, and telephone. I have found that therapy can be just as effective online as face to face, with additional benefits such as clients not needing to travel (saving both time and money) and the ability to engage with people who may find it difficult to attend therapy otherwise, such as those who are agoraphobic, or shielding for example, or any other reason they may prefer.
Therapy approaches
Person-Centred, Integrative, Humanistic.
I use an integrative approach which means that I mix and match different types of therapy depending on what you need; and a humanistic approach in the sense that I see you as a whole unique person, rather than focusing on a particular diagnosis or symptom.
What I can help with
Over the years I have experience of working with a variety of issues including, but not limited to:
- Eating disorders
- Abuse
- Anxiety
- Bereavement/Loss
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Neurodiversity (such as issues affecting autistic or ADHD diagnosed individuals and their families)
- Perfectionism
- Trauma
- Confidence and self-esteem
- Health related issues
- Issues affecting LGBTQ+ individuals
- Stress
- OCD
- Addictions
- Attachment issues
- Phobias
- Self-harm
- Relationship difficulties
- Anger management
- Religion and/or spirituality
- Emotional regulation
- Resilience building
I am fully and enhanced DBS checked, a member of the BACP (and as such abide by their code of ethics) I have regular supervision and am always learning something new, keeping my knowledge and best practice up to date. I have a particular interest in Neuro-diversity and am currently studying with the Open University to increase my knowledge and improve my ability to work effectively with this client group.
Ethical practice
I am enhanced DBS checked member of the BACP. I have regular supervision and am always learning something new, I love keeping my knowledge up to date as new research evolves.
- MBACP - Member of British Association of Counsellors & Psychotherapists (BACP)
- Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) on update service – for working with Adult and CYP workforce.
Qualifications/CPD
Having completed an Advanced Professional Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling in 2014 I have gone on to further study:
- Diploma in Hypnotherapy
- Anxiety, Depression and CBT
- Autistic Experience CPD
- Certificate in Trauma: “The body keeps the score” with Dr Bessel van der Kolk
- Racial injustice and trauma CPD
- Inner child healing CPD
- Practitioner Certification in EFT/TFT
- Supporting children and young peoples’ well-being CPD
- Trauma conference CPD
- DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy) practitioners toolkit
- The Nurture Programme's Autism and PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance)
- Pregnancy and Infant Loss CPD
- Caroline Springs - Trauma Therapy
- Disordered Drinking CPD
- CBT for Anxiety and Phobias
- Healing from Affairs (moving past the trauma of betrayal and infidelity)
- Autism spectrum disorder clinical specialist intensive training
- Emotionally focused individual therapy (EFIT) for attachment trauma
