ABOUT GEMMA
Background
I am currently a graduate member of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and a fully accredited member of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (BABCP), Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy Ireland (CBPI) and Irish Council for Psychotherapy (ICP).
I completed a Post-Graduate Certificate in Compassion Focused Therapy with Professor Paul Gilbert at the University of Derby, UK. I have also completed training in Schema Therapy with the International Society of Schema Therapy (ISST), in conjunction with the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI).
The modalities that I use are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion Focused Therapy and Schema Therapy.
over 15 years experience working as a psychotherapist, having worked previously in the disabilities and mental health sector.
I have a particular interest in hormone related difficulties and menopause having recently completed Dr. Louise Newson's 'Confidence in the Menopause' training by Newson Health Research and Education.
Experience
I have over 15 years experience working as a psychotherapist, having worked previously in the disabilities and mental health sector. I spent a lot of my early years working for National Learning Network where I worked directly with individuals with physical, intellectual and mental health difficulties. During this time I completed a Degree in Psychology (2002) and a Masters Degree in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (2005) . I worked for a decade at St. Patrick’s Mental Health Services, Dublin, as a CBT therapist seeing both inpatients and outpatients from young adults to elderly patients. I was also part of the Young Adult Programme multi-disciplinary team under Dr. Paddy Power (Consultant Psychiatrist) . This involved individual one to one CBT with patients (ranging in age 18 to 25) and I also facilitated CBT groups within the hospital.
I also trained in Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) Training. SSP Training covers methodology and implementation of the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP). Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, the SSP is a five-day auditory intervention designed to reduce stress and auditory sensitivity while enhancing social engagement and resilience. The SSP works to calm behavioral and physiological state. It uses the auditory system as a portal to the Vagus Nerve which controls our state. Once state is regulated, therapy is accelerated or enhanced. This treatment is indicated for use with a whole range of difficulties including trauma and autism.
One to One psychotherapy for….
Anxiety
Anger Management
Binge Eating Disorder
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Depression
Generalised Anxiety Disorder
Health Anxiety
Menopausal and hormone related mood difficulties
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Panic Attacks
Relationship Difficulties
Stress
Social Anxiety
I also run company in-house training on various aspects of mental health.
Accreditations and Awards
