Counselling & Psychotherapy for Women Suffering with Trauma, Emotional Eating & Not Feeling Good Enough.

After by Nikki Gemmell

Nikki Gemmell started writing After, the day she found out that her mother had ended her own life.

Many of the reviews focus on the obvious topics of death and dying  – but for me, this book was more about the complexities of the mother-daughter relationship , early childhood emotional neglect, emotional abuse and trauma, and the struggle to separate and individuate from early childhood wounding.

Working with women in therapy, and with a wide range of concerns, exploring and healing the mother-daughter relationship is always part of our work together. Narcissistic wounding is often at the core. By this I mean, the daughter is not seen in her own light and her emotional, psychological and spiritual needs were not met, often because the mother’s needs were also not met.

Nikki Gemmell does a wonderful job of writing about these issues and I love that she has found a creative space to ‘see’ herself. It takes guts, authenticity, vulnerability and courage to write a book like this!

This memoir is a must for anyone interested in delving deeper into the psyche of the mother-daughter relationship.

If you would like to know more, grab a copy of After and watch Nikki on Australian Story.

If you are struggling with any of the concerns I have raised in this post – please find a counsellor or psychotherapist in your area specialising in mother-daughter relationships and early childhood trauma.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jodie

Jodie

Sydney Registered Clinical Psychotherapist, Therapeutic Counsellor, Trauma + Eating Disorder Therapist, Jodie Gale, is a leading specialist in women’s emotional, psychological and spiritual health and well-being. Over the last 20+ years, Jodie has helped 100s of women transform their lives. She has a private counselling, life-coaching and psychotherapy practice in Manly, Allambie Heights and Frenchs Forest on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. Jodie is passionate about putting the soul back into therapy!

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Thank you for all the work that we did together. I know it has gone a long way to healing the way I treat myself & has given me greater Peace. Thank you for the enormous part you have played in my journey.
I spent most of my adult life putting other people’s feelings and needs first. In my therapy with Jodie, I learnt how to nurture and be true to myself.
When I came to therapy, I was depressed and suicidal; my life was pointless. Jodie sat with me in the darkness – she was so patient and always there for me.
In therapy, I learned how to become a nourishing mother to myself – this meant finding ways to soothe myself and meet my needs in other ways, rather than using food and drugs.
I found attachment and trusting in relationships to be my biggest struggle, but with Jodie’s help I barely notice it anymore. Her love and encouragement completely changed my life.
When I first came to therapy, I had no idea of the depth of the work we would do together. I’m leaving therapy so much more confident, empowered and self-believing.
I have spent most of my life in therapy, jumping from one therapist to another just waiting for something to work. And then I met Jodie. I felt comfortable and was able to be open and truthful for the first time.
Jodie’s raw approach to therapy was so refreshing. She had struggles in her own life, I knew what she said was real and I didn’t feel crazy or alone anymore because someone finally got it. Her compassion and desire to see me live my best life is palpable. I owe her my life.
Jodie is down to earth, caring and compassionate. I felt fully accepted for the first time in my life. It was this acceptance that helped me heal from my past trauma, hurts and problems.
The pain in my body was so heavy. It was unbearable. It has been a long and painful journey but now I am coming through the other side.
Sometimes therapy was hard and challenging but I learnt how to communicate more positively and I have more confidence now. It has improved my relationships with my family, with friends and at work.
The kindness, love and compassion Jodie shared with me throughout my therapy, are the most important tools I’ll ever need. The world needs a million more Jodies!
I used to feel completely worthless and not good enough – even more so after many failed attempts at therapy and being told I was ‘treatment resistant’. Jodie was patient with me and it was ultimately the start of my recovery from depression and many years of self-neglect.
Before therapy I felt abandoned and alone. I went to some dark places with Jodie, she witnessed my suffering and was there with me. It was hard but I did it and now I feel stronger.
I believe in destiny and I am so grateful that Jodie came into my life – she taught me about honesty, trust, boundaries, and healthy love.
Working with Jodie is a blessing for anyone fortunate enough to receive her support. She provided for me a space, both empty and full. Empty enough for me to find silence, stillness… and in that calm and quiet space, find me. And full- full of the love she unwaveringly offers, full of support and challenge.
Jodie always reflected back to me that there was something better, waiting on the other side of darkness. For me, she was the light house throughout my recovery journey. Jodie offered me light, until I found my own.
Working with Jodie pushed me to my limits, I wanted to quit so many times, and yet there was something in the way she mirrored back to me my own strength, my own purpose, my own soul, that kept me digging deep and showing up for myself.
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Northern Beaches trauma & Emotional Eating Counsellor, Coach & psychotherapist, jodie gale, has featured in...

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Jodie Gale. PACFA Reg. ARCAP Reg.

Soul-Centred Psychotherapist, Counsellor, Coach, Trauma & Eating Disorder Therapist.

Counselling on the Northern Beaches of Sydney: Allambie Heights 2100, Frenchs Forest 2086 and Manly 2095. Ph. 0431 878 858

COPYRIGHT ©2024 JODIE GALE.

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