About Gemma

I’m Gemma Antcliffe, a BACP-registered counsellor based in Ripon. I work with people who are going through some of the hardest times of their lives – fertility struggles, anxiety, grief, low mood, relationship difficulties; and I consider it a privilege every time someone chooses to bring that to me.

I trained as a counsellor because I believe that having a space to be truly heard, without judgement or agenda, can change everything. Not fix everything, but change it. And sometimes that’s exactly what’s needed.

Becoming the counsellor I am today has been its own kind of journey.  Part of my training required me to sit on the other side of the chair, and make sense of a few things about myself first. That taught me just how vulnerable it can be to open up to someone; to trust that they can hold your true thoughts, including the ones you’ve never told anyone. It’s an experience that shapes how I sit with clients now; with patience, without judgement, and with real respect for how much courage it takes to be there at all.

I worked with Mind early in my career, which gave me real insight into the breadth of human experience, and just how much it matters to feel genuinely heard.

Later, my own experience of fertility struggles added another layer to that understanding. It gave me a depth of empathy for that particular kind of turmoil and uncertainty that training alone couldn’t have taught me. It’s part of why I now specialise in fertility counselling alongside my broader practice.

What I bring to this work isn’t a tidy, finished version of “having it all figured out”. It’s an honest understanding of what it takes to work through the hard parts, and a commitment to help you do the same

How I work

I’m trained in person-centred counselling, which means our sessions are always led by what matters most to you. That said, I adapt how I work to suit the individual. Sometimes that means simply having space to talk things through, and sometimes it means working on practical tools and strategies to take away with you.

Sessions last 50 minutes and are available in person at my practice in Ripon or online via video call – whichever feels right for you. I use an online diary system, so you don’t need to settle on a fixed day and time from the outset. You can simply choose whatever day and time works for you. That said, we will agree together on a realistic frequency for sessions, since consistency is what keeps the work moving forward..

A free 15 minute discovery call is available before you commit to anything. It’s a relaxed conversation to ask questions and get a feel for whether we’d be a good fit.

Training and Qualifications

I work in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework, which means you can expect a confidential, safe and professional service at all times.

• Additional specialist training in fertility counselling
• Volunteer counsellor, Mind