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'The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.'

- Carl Rogers

I'm Gemma Paget, an HCPC-registered Dramatherapist with a background in acting, theatre and creative practice. I work with adults and young people, offering a supportive space to explore emotional difficulties, life experiences and the challenges we sometimes face.

I originally trained as an actor at Manchester Metropolitan School of Theatre before completing my MA in Dramatherapy. My professional experience spans the NHS, schools, mental health services and community settings, working with people from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances.

Before establishing my private practice, I worked within an NHS eating disorder service, supporting people experiencing complex relationships with food, body image and self-worth. I have also worked with the children's mental health charity Place2Be, providing therapeutic support to young people in schools.

Alongside my therapeutic work, I was co-founder and director of AlterEgo Creative Solutions, a not-for-profit social enterprise established in 2012 that grew to become one of the UK's leading applied theatre companies. We worked with schools, local authorities, police forces, the NHS, charities and government organisations, using theatre and storytelling to explore some of the most challenging issues facing individuals and communities.

Our work addressed subjects including child sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation, domestic abuse, coercive control and mental health, reaching audiences across the UK and internationally.

I'm immensely proud of the impact this work had. We saw how powerful storytelling could be, not simply in raising awareness or challenging attitudes, but in helping people recognise their own experiences, find the confidence to speak out, seek support and make meaningful changes in their lives. It was extraordinary to witness how a story could open up conversations that might otherwise never have happened, sometimes having a profound and lasting effect on the people who experienced it.

Those years reinforced my belief in the power of creativity, empathy and human connection, and continue to inform the way I work as a therapist today.

Therapy with me is shaped around the person in front of me. Some people find it helpful to talk things through; others need different ways to make sense of what they are feeling. Alongside talking therapy, I draw on creative, symbolic and embodied approaches when helpful, offering gentle ways to explore experiences that may be difficult to put into words.

My aim is to offer a calm, compassionate and non-judgemental space where you can feel heard, supported and met as a whole person.

'my role is not to tell you who to be, but to walk alongside you as you develop a deeper understanding of yourself, recognise your strengths, and discover what you need to move forward.'

- Gemma paget

How can I support you?

Many people come to therapy knowing that something feels wrong, but not always having the words for it. Creative therapy can be especially helpful when feelings show up through the body, food, self-criticism, anxiety, shutdown, perfectionism, relationship patterns, or a sense of not quite knowing who you are.

Because of my experience in NHS and school settings, I bring an understanding of both clinical complexity and the everyday pressures people face at different stages of life. I work with adults, adolescents and young people who may be trying to make sense of themselves during periods of change, distress or uncertainty.

Adults

My approach can include both talking therapy and creative methods, depending on what feels most helpful for you. Some people find it useful to talk things through, while others may find that thoughts and feelings are difficult to put into words.

When it feels appropriate, creativity can offer another way of exploring experience. This might involve drawing, imagery, metaphor, objects, writing, or other creative approaches. No artistic ability is needed, and there is never any pressure to work creatively if that does not feel right for you.

The way we work will be shaped around your needs. If a particular approach does not feel helpful, we can adapt. The focus is not on creating art, but on finding a way of working that supports reflection, understanding and connection.

I work with a wide range of issues, including:

Anxiety and emotional overwhelm
Low self-worth or confidence
Eating difficulties and body image concerns
Life transitions and periods of change
Identity, belonging and self-understanding
Relationship difficulties
Stress, burnout and feeling stuck
The impact of difficult or painful experiences
The impact of domestic abuse, coercive control or stalking

If you are ready to take the next step, please do Get in Touch.

Adolescents and Young People

Supporting Your Child Through Therapy

When a parent or carer makes the decision to seek therapy for their adolescent or young person, it is often because they are worried, overwhelmed, or unsure how best to help. It can take courage to reach out, and it is completely natural to want to know what happens once therapy begins.

Therapy provides a safe and supportive space where young people can explore their thoughts, feelings and experiences at their own pace. While parents and carers play an important role in a young person's wellbeing, the therapeutic space belongs to the young person and is built on trust, safety and confidentiality.

Understanding Confidentiality

One of the most common questions parents ask is: 'Will I be told what my child talks about in therapy?

In most circumstances, what a young person shares in counselling remains confidential. This allows them to feel safe enough to speak openly about difficult thoughts, feelings, worries and experiences.

Young people are often more able to engage honestly in therapy when they know they have a private space where they will not be judged, questioned or required to report back on every conversation.

Confidentiality does not mean secrecy. It means creating a safe therapeutic relationship where trust can develop.

When Information Might Be Shared

There are some situations where confidentiality cannot be maintained.

If I become concerned that a young person is at risk of serious harm, or that someone else may be at risk, I have a professional and ethical responsibility to take appropriate action to keep people safe.

Wherever possible, I would aim to discuss this with the young person first and involve them in any decisions about sharing information.

How Parents and Carers Are Included

Although I will not routinely share the details of therapy sessions, parents and carers remain an important part of the support network around a young person.

This may include:

Initial conversations before therapy begins
Sharing general themes or progress where appropriate and agreed
Reviewing how therapy is supporting the young person
Discussing practical ways to support your child at home
Opportunities for parent review sessions if needed

The exact level of parental involvement will depend on the age, needs and wishes of the young person, alongside professional and ethical considerations.

Trusting the Process

It can sometimes feel uncomfortable not knowing exactly what is being discussed in therapy, particularly when you are worried about your child.

However, one of the most valuable aspects of therapy is providing young people with a space that is truly their own. Often, it is through having a consistent, confidential and supportive relationship that they begin to better understand themselves, develop coping strategies, build resilience and feel more able to communicate with those around them.

My aim is to work alongside both young people and their families, creating a balance between respecting a young person's privacy and ensuring they remain safe and supported.

If you are ready to take the next step, please do Get in Touch.

I offer a free 30-minute consultation for new clients. This gives us a chance to talk through what you are looking for, answer any questions you may have, and see whether working together feels like the right fit.

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