Jemma Dugdale

I am available Thursday and Friday daytimes, as well as evenings and weekends. 

Hi, I’m Jemma, I’m a Counsellor offering one hour in-person sessions in Cardiff and Walk and Talk sessions, as well as UK wide online and phone sessions.

Walk and Talk sessions are also known as outdoor therapy and wild therapy. This can be a great way to experience counselling when you feel other forms of counselling can be uncomfortable or awkward. I have a few walks we can go on depending on your ability, or we can sit on a park bench if you’d feel more comfortable. Sometimes being outside can help you feel more relaxed. And you can even bring your dog along if that helps.

We all need purpose and meaning in life and sometimes we lose ours, particularly when going through change or loss. When this happens, it can feel like we've lost who we are and what we want. My approach is about helping you unpick and make sense of what's going on, so you can see things more clearly and take responsibility to make the choices that are right for you.

My approach is Humanistic Existential. As part of this approach I won't give you advice, but I will offer alternative perspectives, enabling opportunities for reflection.

Everyone is unique and sees the world differently, so I won't make assumptions about what you think and how you feel about the topics you bring to counselling. Instead, my focus will be to see things from your point of view.

I understand that deciding you’re ready for counselling can take a lot of courage, so we will create a therapeutic relationship, where you feel heard and safe to explore what’s going on for you. In a non-judgemental safe place.

Whether this is your first time in counselling or you've had therapy before, we'll work together to create a plan that's based on your needs. I can offer counselling in one off sessions, pre-agreed blocks (4,8,12,16) or open-ended work, depending on what you need.

If this sounds like something you'd like to do, I offer a free initial 30 minute consultation online or over the phone. This is space for us to talk. You can tell me a bit about what’s going on for you or if you already know what you would like from counselling. I can tell you a bit about myself and my counselling approach.

There's no pressure to commit to having a session after the consultation and if you'd like to arrange a first session we can discuss availability including whether you'd prefer in-person, walk and talk, online or telephone sessions.

Hopefully that gives you an idea of how I work, but feel free to get in touch to ask any questions.

My Counselling experience is, Counsellor at Cardiff Mind, Counsellor at Cardiff Council (ARC) and the Counselling Coordinator for the ARC Counselling Service (Cardiff Council). As well as my Private Practice. 

I have worked with Children and Young People for 10+ years. Roles in Youth Clubs, Therapeutic Children's Homes, ARC Edge of Care service in Cardiff Council and Vale of Glamorgan Council. I also worked with parents/carers and families as a whole, including parents together and separated. And rehabilitation home for children in care to back home with parent/carers.

Most recently as a Family Practitioner for Place2Be (Children's Mental Health Charity)

Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling

Ecotherapy: Walk & Talk Therapy 

ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)

ASK (Assessing for Suicide in Kids)

Mental Health First Aider

NVR (Non-Violent Resistance)

PIPT (Personalised Individual Parenting Training)