Gemma Ridge

My name is Gemma, and I am an accredited counsellor and psychotherapist, as well as an accredited EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) therapist. I offer a warm, compassionate space where you can begin to make sense of difficult experiences at your own pace. I specialise in trauma therapy and bereavement counselling, supporting people through grief, loss, and life-changing events. My work includes all forms of loss—both recognised and less acknowledged. This may include bereavement, anticipatory grief, and disenfranchised grief such as pet loss, miscarriage, menopause, endometriosis, relationship endings, and significant life transitions. These experiences can feel isolating or minimised by others, but in therapy they are given the space, care, and understanding they deserve. With 12 years’ experience, EMDR accreditation, and my role as a clinical supervisor, I bring both professional expertise and a deeply human approach to my work. I will support you in gently exploring your experiences, helping you to understand what you’ve been through and find a way forward that feels right for you. I work relationally, which means I am actively alongside you in the process. Therapy is not something that is done to you, but something we do together. I offer support, guidance, and gentle challenge, always grounded in building a safe, trusting relationship where meaningful change can happen. I see trauma and loss not as problems to be fixed, but as deeply human experiences that need compassion, validation, and understanding. I am especially passionate about supporting those navigating grief that is often misunderstood or overlooked—such as pet bereavement—and about helping to reduce the stigma that can surround these experiences. Alongside talking therapy, I offer EMDR for adults experiencing psychological trauma. EMDR is a structured, evidence-based trauma therapy that helps the brain process distressing or overwhelming experiences. It can reduce the intensity of emotional and physical responses, allowing memories to feel less intrusive and more manageable over time. I may offer EMDR for: PTSD and complex trauma Accidents and medical trauma Pregnancy and birth trauma Trauma following violence or sudden events Phobias and anxiety linked to past experiences EMDR and grief Grief is not something to be removed or rushed. It is a natural, important process that deserves time, care, and support. However, when grief is complicated by trauma—such as distressing memories, guilt, or a sense of feeling “stuck”—EMDR can sometimes help. This might be relevant if: The loss still feels overwhelming months or years later You experience flashbacks, nightmares, or emotional numbness You feel ongoing guilt or responsibility The loss involved traumatic or sudden circumstances In these situations, EMDR can help to gently reduce the intensity of distress, allowing the grieving process to unfold more naturally. I work with adults over the age of eighteen, on a weekly (sometimes fortnightly) basis. I offer an initial free 15 minute telephone consultation. I see clients for 1-24 sessions, depending on availability, assessment outcome and goals. My clients come from all over the world, as their therapy needs vary greatly. I have had a great deal of success working remotely, and many of my clients have spoken about the benefits of being in their environment, and not having to worry about travel, which comes with financial and time pressures. Research shows that EMDR can be delivered effectively online. I use a secure EMDR software called Bilateral Base. This allows me to provide visual and auditory stimulation in a simple and effective way. You do not need to download anything to use it – you will be given a secure link to access it before the session.