Gemma "Phoebe" Harris, BACP

Gemma "Phoebe" Harris is a counsellor practising in the United Kingdom with ten years of experience. She holds BACP registration, which reflects her professional standing in the counselling field. Gemma works in a person-centred way and aims to make first contact straightforward for someone reaching out under stress.

She focuses on common and complex struggles such as stress, anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. She also helps people dealing with trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem and intimacy-related issues. Gemma supports those facing LGBT matters, gender dysphoria, and concerns linked to kink and alternative sexual cultures.

Her practice often addresses long-term pressures like chronic illness, caregiving strain and compassion fatigue. She also works with people who have ADHD or autism and with those managing sleep problems, anger, control issues and family relationship difficulties. Parenting challenges, divorce and separation are included in her areas of focus.

Gemma uses a client-centred approach that places the person’s experience at the heart of conversations. Sessions aim to be respectful and sensitive, and she adapts to each person’s pace and needs. People can expect to be heard and helped to make sense of what feels overwhelming.

To start, a short matching questionnaire and scheduling step are used so people can arrange sessions that suit them. Therapy is offered through several online formats, and subscriptions can be cancelled at any time.

How client-centred work translates to online therapy

Client-centred therapy focuses on the person rather than labels or a fixed programme. The counsellor listens closely, mirrors back what she hears and helps people find their own solutions. This approach is helpful for anxiety, depression, self-esteem and relationship concerns because it builds on the individual’s experience and priorities.

Client-centred work is also suited to trauma-related and grief issues where being heard and believed is important. The emphasis is on acceptance, empathy and following the client’s pace, which can make difficult topics easier to approach over time.

Finding the right approach is part of therapy. The counsellor will talk with each person about goals, preferences and what feels most helpful. Together they decide how to adapt the client-centred way to suit the individual needs and circumstances.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging. Video is useful for fuller conversation and face-to-face connection, while phone sessions need less bandwidth and can fit into busy days. Live chat and messaging work well for short check-ins, ongoing reflections and when writing feels easier than talking. These options give flexibility so people can choose what best fits their routines and comfort.