Flexible approach to meet your needs

What to Expect from Therapy

In our first call, we will talk about what it is that has brought you to therapy and how it is that I might be able to help. This will be a short call anywhere up to 30 minutes, after which you can think about if you would like to start treatment.

Once treatment has begun, the first couple of sessions will be the assessment, where we explore your difficultly in depth. Where has this come from and the different ways in which it impacts you now. Depending on what it is that is going on for you, we might notice patterns that aren't making you happy, but this will look different for everyone. Some of these patterns may come from the past and how it is that you learned to navigate the world, but is no longer serving your life today. Some patterns may be repetitive emotional or thought-based cycles, where we will look beneath the surface symptoms to explore the deeper relational patterns that shape your daily experience. For some, it may not be patterns that we notice as much as a need to process an experience that has happened, or a transitional life stage. Once we have had these first couple of sessions, if we haven't already, we will decide whether CBT or DIT would be most helpful for you.

Once we have chosen a therapy path, we begin the work. For more information on what DIT and CBT look like, please go to my home page. Meanwhile in both of these treatments, I offer a warm and safe space where I empower you to make changes to the elements of your mental health that are causing you difficulty. As mentioned above, we will look at your patterns, ways of thinking and behaving, that keep your problem going and how to do this differently. I believe in us working together as a team, where I will bring my thoughts of what may be happening, and we can see how you relate to that and what you make of it. Alongside learning ways to manage differently, I also believe that self-understanding in itself is a powerful tool. If you don't understand why you do what you do, and where it comes from, how can we expect you to meaningfully change it for the long term? Developing your self-understanding will therefore be an important part of our work.

"During my therapy, I learnt strategies to help me deal with my fears and worries. I have been listening to, and I felt safe talking to Gemma. She was patient and caring. I feel like I learnt a lot about myself, my worries, and I learnt strategies, and I can use them to control my behaviours."

Clinical training and credentials

Postgraduate Training

Professional Registry

Clinical Experience

Advanced clinical training in psychodynamic and CBT psychotherapy from leading London institutions, establishing a deep theoretical foundation.

Fully registered and accredited member of the BABCP and a member of the Kite Roster with the BCP, adhering strictly to the highest ethical frameworks and absolute clinical confidentiality.

Years of clinical practice within demanding NHS trusts and private settings, working extensively with professionals to deliver the best care.

"I cannot praise Gemma highly enough. She listened without judgement and made sure to recognise the issues that mattered to most and helped guide the treatment while keeping it focused on my own goals. She was incredibly patient and understanding and I cannot thank her enough for her help. I am very lucky to have had her help over the last few months and know that she has given me the tools to keep working and improving in the future. Thank you so much Gemma."

Our first call is simply a conversation to see what kind of support I can offer you —an honest assessment of your needs with no ongoing obligation.

Gemma Dixon, Psychotherapist