BSc (Hons), PgDip, O.A. Dip
Gemma Louise
Hello, and thank you for visiting my page...
Admitting you need support, and deciding to seek that support within therapy, can seem like one of the most daunting decisions you will ever make, but, if you've got as far as reading this website then you already have something to be proud of.
I can promise you that when you make that initial call to me, all you will hear at the other end of the phone is kindness, compassion, empathy, and a reassurance that you just did the hardest part of this process.
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I offer an initial free 30-minute consultation so we can have an informal chat about your situation, and I hope by the end of that call I can take away some of that fear and replace it with hope.
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I look forward to speaking with you.​
Gemma
About Me
I was born and raised in The Lake District, but spent a couple of years exploring different cities across the UK when I turned 18 years old. I relocated back the Cumbria following the arrival of my daughter in 2008, and after overcoming some of my own personal difficulties I returned to studying. I now reside in Manchester with my family and our fur babies.
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My own experience of therapy was incredible, and it truly allowed me to let go of the past and focus on a much brighter and more hopeful future - at this point I knew my calling in life was to help others through their own psychological difficulties.​
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When I am not working, I love to be out in nature with our dogs, hiking with my friends, and have recently taken an interest in wild camping. I also love to binge a good TV series or curl up with a book.
Education
I graduated from the University of Central Lancashire in 2016 with an honours degree in Neuropsychology, after studying human physiology and sociology at Furness College in Barrow in Furness.
Following this, I progressed to study at the University of Cumbria where I spent two years achieving a postgraduate diploma in advanced practice of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
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I initially supported clients who had suffered brain injuries alongside my undergraduate degree, then I offered a free CBT clinic alongside my post-graduate degree for additional practical experience with clients.
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For the last 8 years, I have continuously developed my skill set, and have now built a successful private practice working with many people of different ages, experiencing a variation of emotional and psychological difficulties.
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My client base includes self-funded clients, employees referred through local business contracts; including solicitors, insurance companies and care companies, local authorities, schools and other education settings, and I often collaborate and consult with other charities and non-profit organisations.
Since finalising all of my university studies I have continued to engage with regular CPD, some examples are:
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Social anxiety disorder: Evidence based CBT to overcome fear, shame, and avoidance,
PTSD and C/PTSD
Safeguarding children
Understanding children and young people’s mental health
Understanding mental health first aid and mental health advocacy in the workplace
Ways to maintain personal well-being,
Introduction to child psychology
Child play therapy
Adverse childhood experiences certification
Family mediation
Challenging behaviour awareness certification
Getting started with couple’s therapy
Safeguarding everyone – Protecting children, young people, and adults at risk
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioural therapy Advanced
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I have also obtained qualifications allowing me to deliver child and young people's mental health support, self-harm and suicide prevention, and mental health first aid in the workplace.
Alongside my clinic, I am presently studying towards an advanced BPS Approved Certificate in CBT for Children and Adolescents (Dr Andrew Beck), and a BPS Approved Diploma in Autism and Mental Health (National Centre for Autism & Mental Health).
These are a selection of issues I can help clients with:
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Panic attack/disorders
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Agoraphobia
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Post Traumatic Stress
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Trauma
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Health anxiety
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Abuse
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Anorexia Nervosa
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Binge-Eating Disorder
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Bullying
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Relationship issues
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Self harm
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Sexual Issues
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Stress
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Work Related Stress
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Worry (Generalised Anxiety Disorder)
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Specific phobias
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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
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Thrichotillomania (skin picking and hair pulling)
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Anger issues
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Emotional Abuse
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Low Self-Confidence
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Physical Abuse
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Pre-nuptial Counselling
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Schizophrenia
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Separation and divorce
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Bipolar Disorder/ Manic Depression
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Compulsive Hoarding
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Disability support
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Chronic illness
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ASD/ADHD
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Behavioural Therapies
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Cognitive Therapy
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Humanistic Therapies
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Integrative
My sessions are delivered from a cosy therapy room within the wellbeing center, with a private waiting area and bathroom facilities adjacent. I also have complimentary refreshments available for all my clients as it is important to me that you feel at your most comfortable and relaxed while you are here.
My Approach
Clinically, I specialise in cognitive behavioural therapy for the treatment of depression, all anxiety disorders, PTSD, OCD, specific phobias, and a range of other mental health conditions - I also have experience providing psychological support for looked after children (foster care placements and care homes).
Due to working in the private healthcare sector, and based off my many hours of further training, I can also bring in other modalities of psychotherapy and coaching such as compassion focused therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and relationship life coaching, to be able to offer a more personalised treatment plan for each individual client I work with.
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My therapy is available to individuals for one-to-one sessions, as a couple, for children/adolescents, and family sessions too - I can offer in person sessions to clients located in Manchester, or virtual therapy for any individuals across the UK, and internationally.
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I strive to ensure my private practice is a clinic that includes everyone, so no matter your gender, age, religion, or financial background please contact me and we can arrange a consultation to discuss if I can meet your needs.
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I hold an enhanced DBS certificate, and you can rest assured that from your initial contact with me 100% confidentiality will always be upheld.
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I am fully insured, and I regularly undertake professional CPD courses and supervision with a more experienced practitioner so I can ensure my skill set is consistently up to date and can be delivered to the best of my ability.
What is Cognitive
Behavioural
Therapy?
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(CBT)
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"Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or CBT, is a family of talking therapies, all based on the idea that thoughts, emotional feelings, behaviour, and how our bodies feel, are all connected. If we change one of these we can alter all the others.
When we’re low or upset, we often fall into patterns of thinking and responding which can worsen how we feel. CBT works to help us notice and change problematic thinking styles or behaviour patterns so we can feel better.
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CBT is mainly concerned with how we think and act now, although sometimes our current difficulties are related to things which have happened in our past, and so these might also be part of what we talk about.
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Goals for therapy are set together with the therapist after talking things through to properly understand the problem. CBT is a collaborative therapy - it’s not something that is done to someone, it’s a way of working together with a CBT therapist.
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CBT works best when it involves working on things in between sessions as well as during them. Tasks will be planned together.
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As the therapy comes to an end the client and therapist will think together about how the client can continue using CBT techniques in daily life after treatment to continue to improve quality of life."
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You can read more about CBT, including pros and cons, on the NHS England website here.