Gemma Francis-Smith (She/her)Social Worker

Gemma is an experienced therapist who works with adolescents aged 14+, adults and couples navigating life’s many transitions. She brings warmth, curiosity and authenticity to her work, creating a space where people can explore their experiences without judgement. You might seek support from Gemma if you are feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, navigating relationship challenges, recovering from trauma, experiencing school or career burnout, adjusting to parenthood, or feeling disconnected from yourself and the people around you. Gemma understands that mental health does not exist in isolation. We are shaped by our relationships, families, communities, life experiences and the environments we move through. Rather than focusing on “what’s wrong”, Gemma works collaboratively with clients to make sense of their story, recognise their strengths, and create meaningful change that feels realistic and sustainable. Gemma has particular interests in trauma, attachment, relationships, anxiety, life transitions and perinatal mental health. She draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, attachment-informed practice, systems-based approaches and Relational Life Therapy for couples and individuals work, tailoring sessions to each person or relationship. Together, you might explore themes like: Why do I feel so overwhelmed all the time? Why is parenting feeling so hard right now?  How do I understand my relationship patterns? Why do I keep putting everyone else first? How do I cope with this life transition? How do we reconnect as a couple? How do I make sense of what has happened to me? Who am I in this season of my life? Gemma's work with couples uses a relational approach, supporting both people to understand the patterns that may be keeping them stuck. Sessions usually focus on what is happening between both people in the room, with space to explore communication, disconnection, repair and meaningful change. Outside of work, Gemma is a mum to two boys who enjoys surfing, spending time outdoors and training for triathlons. She values genuine connection, humour, and helping people build lives and relationships that feel more aligned with who they are.