What does counselling cost at Gemma Chiew Counselling?

Individual counselling sessions cost £65 per session. Couples counselling sessions cost £80 per session. A free 30-minute initial consultation is available with no obligation.

Does Gemma Chiew offer online counselling?

Yes. Gemma offers online counselling to clients across the whole of the UK via secure video call. Online sessions are the same length and approach as in-person sessions.

Is Gemma Chiew a qualified and accredited counsellor?

Yes. Gemma is a BACP Accredited Member (MBACP Accred), which is the highest level of individual accreditation awarded by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. She holds a Diploma in Counselling, an MA from the University of East Anglia, and a Diploma in Social Work, with over 15 years of experience.

Where is Gemma Chiew's counselling practice based?

Gemma's practice is based at Room 20, Castle Consulting Rooms, 2 Goldington Road, Bedford, MK40 3NF — in Bedford town centre. She also offers online counselling to clients across the UK.

Does Gemma Chiew offer couples counselling?

Yes. Gemma specialises in couples counselling and marriage counselling using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Sessions are £80 and are available in person in Bedford and online.

What issues can counselling at Gemma Chiew help with?

Gemma works with a wide range of issues including anxiety, depression, grief and bereavement, relationship difficulties, couples and marriage counselling, trauma, neurodivergence (ADHD and autism), low self-esteem, and personal growth.

Winter Blues or SAD? When the Clocks Go Back and Your Mood Goes With Them

Gemma Chiew

3 days ago

3 min read

The clocks go back this Sunday, and with them goes that last bit of evening light. For some people, that's a welcome excuse for candles and a cosy blanket. For others, it's the moment a heaviness settles in that doesn't lift until spring.

If that sounds familiar, I want you to know it's very common, and it isn't a character flaw. It's also nothing to just push through.

What's the difference between winter blues and SAD?

Most of us feel a bit flatter when the days get shorter. We're slower to get going, we crave comfort food, and we'd rather stay in than go out. That's the "winter blues", and it's a normal response to the season.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is different. It's a pattern of depression that returns at the same time each year, usually starting in autumn or winter and easing in spring. It's more persistent and has a bigger impact on daily life. You might notice:

A low mood that lasts most of the day, most days
Losing interest in things you normally enjoy
Feeling heavy, exhausted or unable to get going
Sleeping more but never feeling rested
Irritability, or feeling more tearful than usual
Pulling away from friends, family or your partner
Craving carbohydrates and comfort food

I'm a counsellor, not a doctor, so I can't diagnose SAD. If you recognise this pattern, it's worth talking to your GP. But you don't need a diagnosis to deserve support.

Why does the dark affect us so much?

Less daylight can affect the body clock that governs sleep, energy and appetite. It also affects the brain chemistry linked to mood. That's why this can feel so physical, as though someone has turned your energy down.

It's also why "just cheer up" is so unhelpful. This isn't a mindset problem.

Small things that can help

Some everyday habits are worth trying alongside any other support:

Get outside in daylight, especially around midday, even when it's grey. A short walk counts.
Keep a gentle routine for waking, eating and going to bed. Winter can blur the edges of the day.
Move your body in whatever way feels manageable.
Stay in touch with people, even when you'd rather not. A brief message or a coffee is enough.
Ask your GP about light therapy. Some people find light boxes helpful.

None of these is a cure, and if you can't manage them right now, that's okay. Low mood makes even small things feel enormous.

How counselling can help

Counselling isn't about talking you out of how you feel. It's about having a space where you can say it out loud without having to put a brave face on it.

In our sessions, we'd go at your pace. We might look at what the winter months bring up for you: the loss of light, but sometimes also old memories, loneliness, grief or pressure that gets louder at this time of year. I work in a person-centred way, so you set the direction, and I'm also trauma-informed. I often use grounding techniques and breathwork to help you feel steadier when everything feels heavy.

Sometimes there's more going on underneath than the season. Seasonal low mood can overlap with depression, anxiety, grief or relationship strain, and counselling gives you room to untangle all of that. If you'd like to read more about how I work with low mood, my post on counselling for depression is a good place to start.

And if getting out of the house feels like too much right now, sessions are also available online across the UK, which for many people makes it much easier to begin.

Frequently asked questions

Is SAD a real condition?

Yes. It's a recognised pattern of seasonal depression. If you think you may have it, your GP can talk it through with you.

Can counselling help if my low mood only comes in winter?

Yes. Counselling can help you understand what the season brings up and give you ways to look after yourself through it, whether or not it's SAD.

What happens in a first session?

It's a gentle conversation, not an assessment. You can read more in what to expect from your first counselling session.

Take the first step

If the darker months are weighing on you, you don't have to wait until you're at breaking point. I offer a free 30-minute initial consultation, so you can get a feel for how I work with no pressure and no obligation. I see clients in person at my practice in Bedford town centre and online across the UK.

If things feel too much right now, please speak to your GP or reach out to a charity such as Samaritans or Mind, who offer free, confidential support.