Face to face counselling in Ripon and on-line throughout the UK
I’m Gemma Antcliffe, a Ripon based counsellor offering in-person and online sessions, specialising in fertility counselling as well as support for anxiety, low mood, low self‑esteem, grief and relationship strain.
You’ve probably landed on my website for one of two reasons.
Perhaps you’re the person who keeps things going, whether that’s at work, at home, for friends and family. Yet inside you feel exhausted, anxious, low or stuck. You might be worrying about everything, feeling not good enough, people pleasing, or trying to carry on after a loss or big life change.
You may have found me because you are navigating fertility struggles; undergoing fertility treatment or IVF, dealing with pregnancy or baby loss, or finding that repeated disappointments around trying to conceive are taking over your life.
Many people I work with are juggling rising costs, work pressures and a constant stream of worrying news. On top of this, you may be dealing with fertility treatment, relationship strain or a quiet sense that you should be coping better than you are.
Together we can work to untangle what’s going on so you can feel more in control and more like yourself again.
Do you feel…..
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You’re holding everything together for everyone else while feeling overwhelmed or numb inside?
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Fertility struggles and/or treatment have taken over your life and it’s hard to think about anything else?
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Anxious, on edge or constantly “in your head”, even when there’s nothing obviously wrong?
- Stuck in self‑criticism, wondering why you can’t just get over it or “be stronger”?
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Grief or loss (including pregnancy or baby loss) is weighing heavily on you and others don’t quite understand?
Whatever brings you here might be our starting point, but the work goes deeper – into the patterns and pressures shaping your life – so you can feel less overwhelmed, more settled in yourself and more able to move forward.
How I can help you
Fertility Counselling
If you’re living with infertility or going through fertility treatment, you may be riding an emotional rollercoaster of hope, fear, anger and grief. Fertility and IVF counselling offers a place to talk openly about the impact on your sense of self, your relationships, work and everyday life.
I provide specialist fertility counselling informed by my own experience and additional training in this area. Together we can explore decisions about treatment, the strain of waiting, pregnancy or baby loss, and what it might mean to build a meaningful life alongside or beyond treatment.
Counselling for Adults
Alongside my fertility work, I offer counselling for adults experiencing anxiety, low mood, stress, bereavement, relationship difficulties and low self‑esteem. You don’t have to have fertility issues for your struggles to matter here.
Whether you’re facing a specific life event or a more general sense of “I can’t go on like this”, counselling can help you slow down, make sense of your feelings and develop kinder, more sustainable ways of living with yourself and others.
How I work
I know how hard it can be to reach out for help, especially if you’re used to coping on your own. My approach is warm, down‑to‑earth and collaborative. I won’t rush you, tell you what to do or offer false reassurance.
As well as my counselling training and experience, I bring my understanding of how it feels when life doesn’t follow the path you expected. This includes the emotional impact of infertility and IVF, as well as other losses and transitions people experience across their lives.
I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and work within their ethical framework. This means I’m committed to offering a safe, confidential and respectful space for whatever you need to bring.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I know if I need counselling?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, experiencing persistent sadness or anxiety, struggling with relationships, or facing major life changes, counselling might be beneficial.
Yet it’s also worth remembering you don’t need to be experiencing a crisis to benefit. Some people want to come as part of their personal development, keen to explore parts of themselves and increase self awareness.
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What can I expect in a counselling session?
Sessions provide an opportunity to talk about your concerns, worries and experiences. Some people may share something they have never shared with anyone else. It is my job to listen, provide feedback, and help you develop strategies for coping and making positive changes.
It can feel a little one-sided at the start and you may feel worried about “dominating” the air space but that is exactly what is for. In this modern, busy world there are rare opportunities for the sole focus to be on us.
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How long is a counselling session?
Each counselling session last 50 minutes.
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How long does the counselling process take?
It’s natural to wonder how many sessions you will need but there is no definite answer. Whilst some people will feel the benefit from a few sessions sufficient, others stay in therapy longer term. The length of time depends on the issues being addressed and your goals.
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Is counselling confidential?
Yes, counselling sessions are confidential. As a registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) I work to ethical guidelines to protect your privacy, with a few exceptions related to safety and legal requirements.
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Can I have counselling with you online?
Yes, absolutely. Some clients are online only, whilst others may choose to have online sessions if they have issues getting to the session in person. I am very happy to be flexible.
Registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. The BACP is governing body which supports safe, ethical, and competent practice in counselling and psychotherapy.
Member of BICA (British Infertility Counselling)
My qualifications, experience, and professional membership
- I have been working as a counsellor since 2012.
- Following achieving BSc (Hons) in Psychology, I achieved an Advanced Diploma in Integrative Therapy and Practice.
- I am an Integrative therapist Ripon which means I tailor how I work to the person sitting in front of me.
- For a significant part of my professional life, I worked for the mental health charity Mind. This has given me a good understanding of working with a broad range of mental health issues that can affect us all any point in our lives.
- I am a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). The BACP is governing body which supports safe, ethical, and competent practice in counselling and psychotherapy.
- I am a member of the British Infertility Counselling Association (BICA) and have achieved the Advanced Course in Fertility Counselling.
Your Next Step…
Counselling with me costs £70 per session.
If you would like to explore booking in for counselling with me, simply provide your contact details and short message, and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Here’s what client’s have to say about their work with me…
“Gemma is a very empathic, calming and understanding lady. She provides a very calm and safe environment and is very patient and professional. I would recommend her totally to anyone”
“Gemma is a sensitive, empathic counsellor who has excellent listening skills. I would recommend her to friends and family. Thank you Gemma”
“Gemma’s work with me really helped me through a difficult time in my work life. I found the sessions uplifting and they gave me the opportunity to reflect on what was causing me stress and they prompted me to understand how I was going to feel healthy and happy moving forward. Thank you so much for your support.”
“Since seeing Gemma I feel like a weight has lifted from my shoulders, and everything doesn’t feel as overwhelming as it did before counselling….I am able to enjoy the present moment more.”
“I am so very grateful. Gemma has been amazing working with me. I know that Gemma enabled me to move forward, and for that I will always be truly grateful.”