I’m Gema and I’ve been based in Brighton since studying Psychology here 15+ years ago.

My background includes training as a social worker, systemic practitioner, and Mentalization-based practitioner and I’m Theraplay-informed in my practice.

Over the past 10 years, I’ve worked in various settings, focusing my interest on working with parents, early years (0-5), adolescents, and with a focus on mental health. Recently, I’ve become particularly interested in the transition into and through parenthood, and how it impacts on adults and family life (e.g., matrescence).

I completed my Social Work MA at the University of Sussex and have been a registered social worker for 10 years, with experience in hospitals, early years settings, and adolescent services. I am also a Mentalization-based practitioner, focusing on families and early years. Mentalization helps us understand our own thoughts and emotions, as well as those of others, leading to better relationships and greater self-awareness.

I am Theraplay informed in my practice. Theraplay is grounded in attachment theory and the primary goals of this intervention is to hellp endorse healthy attachments between parents/caregivers & children for them to develop a healthy sense of self. I have been trained in Level 1 & 2 and group work.