What I offer

DIT would be best suited to those who are experiencing any difficulties in their relationship patterns, and this is causing them to feel low or anxious. Typically this would show in more than just one relationship, and is something that you may have been experiencing since you were young. We will look to understand how past experiences and important relationships in your life have shaped how you attach to people now and how you respond to relationships in the present. Part of how we will understand this is by looking at any relationship patterns that repeat themselves over time. These patterns may not be something that you are currently aware of, but we will uncover them together. We will then choose a pattern that may be creating the most difficulty to be the focal point of our work.

Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT)

In our first few sessions, we will talk through the relationships in your life that have had the most impact on how it is that you feel in relationships now. This usually involves discussing some relationships from your childhood, for example those who raised you. In addition it may also involve significant friendships or romantic relationships, from any time in your past up until your present. Once we have discussed those relationships, we will choose the relationship pattern that we will work on going forwards and some goals surrounding this. From this point the work turns towards the present, how this pattern affects you week by week in your relationships and consequentially your mood and mental health. We will work together to help you recognise the pattern, and how to manage in differently in line with your goals, breaking unhelpful cycles. Towards the end we will think about the progress you have made and reflect on the ending of therapy.

"Gemma has been absolutely incredible to me and to work with. I have gained a much deeper understanding of myself and have been guided through challenging times in my life. She has helped me build confidence and encouraged me to believe in myself more then I have before. She approached treatment with compassion, empathy and professionalism. I always felt listened to and understood. She has made a huge impact on my mindset. Couldn't thank her enough!"

CBT is a therapy designed to make an impact on how you feel quickly. Within just a few sessions we will be looking at ways to change any thinking and behavioural habits that may be holding you back from being where you want to be. We will of course discuss your past and how it may have influenced these patterns to give a depth of understanding to the work, but the main focus will be on the present; how you feel now and what we can do to help.

The first few sessions we will explore your problem in depth. What is going on for you and where has it come from? Once we have done this, we will start thinking about how to make some changes. CBT can be considered to be quite a practical therapy, practising different tools and techniques between sessions to faciliate meaningful change. We will look at any obstacles that may get in the way of progress and how to navigate them. This will hopefully mean that what we are left with is a variety of ways that help improve how you feel that have been road-tested in real life, and that you know you can use even if life throws you a curve ball or two.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Behaviours

Thoughts

Emotions

Physical
Sensations

CBT can address many different problem areas, please find a list below:

• General Anxiety Disorder (where you worry about different things, not just one thing)

• Health Anxiety

• Social Anxiety

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Low Self-Esteem (LSE)

• Depression

• Anger

• Phobias

In addition to this list, it can also help with different life transitions and scenarios that cause difficulty, please find some examples below:

• Fertility difficulties

• Pregnancy and postpartum

• Work stress

• Relationships or break-ups

"I have had a wonderful experience and my therapist has been amazing. I have felt heard for the first time in my life and I am no longer scared of my own head! I have been taught some invaluable lessons that have helped me to shape a new future, one the does not involve my OCD controlling it or telling it how to do things. I have lots to work on still and I can still have down days but I now have the tools to support me! I cannot thank you enough, you came just at the right time and have supported me to slowly find a way of living, that is guilt free and so much more enjoyable."

Grounded in academic standards

Begin with a conversation

Our initial call is an honest, collaborative chat to see what is going on for you and how I might be able to help you. No obligation, simply a space to begin.