Gemma Quilliam

'Just because no one else can heal or do your inner work for you, does not mean you can, should or need to do it alone.' -Lisa Olivera

Hello there,

Thank you for taking the time to consider me in your search for a suitable talk therapist, it can feel like a minefield when you first start looking! Even the fact you have clicked this page means you are concerned about your own mental health/ happiness and would like to find a means of support. If you are not convinced private therapy is something you may benefit from, ask yourself this. What is holding me back from starting therapy? Where may I be a year from now? Where would I like to be? Can I move from this place I am currently in without sharing my struggles... without any support? Do I need to do this on my own? Nobody should have to work through struggles alone. We are all human and benefit from space to explore challenges, struggles, life goals and milestones with another person. Of course there are trained and qualified people like myself who study human psychology of the mind for fun and have the knowledge and expertise to advise on these matters. Professionally I am often referred to as a Psychological Therapist; Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, EMDR Therapist, Psychiatric Nurse. But I also enjoy the more grounded title of 'helper of humans' which I feel more wholly and accurately summarises my role in life personally and professionally :)

My name is Gemma and I am a Fully Accredited BABCP Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and Psychiatric Nurse. I am also trained in different approaches and these titles are not exhaustive. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is specified with NICE guidelines to be the leading treatment option for mild to moderate mental health difficulties. It is a therapy option nationally recognised and is recommended by GPs often instead of or alongside the prescription of medication should you seek professional support with your mental health. Nobody is free from struggles with their mental health at some point in their lifetime. Whether you have had difficulties from childhood, have been suffering with more recent difficulties, recent changes or have had longer term struggles, seeking therapy and enquiring about therapy is a great first step.

Please feel free to email me to ask for more details on what Cognitive Behavioural Therapy/ EMDR Therapy/ CBASP Therapy is - and how these approaches may assist with your difficulties.

About me

My background as a Qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapist is in Mental Health Nursing. I am registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council which is the national regulating body which governs nurses in the UK. I currently work part time for an NHS IAPT service located in Central Manchester as a Psychological Therapist; delivering CBT, CBASP and EMDR Therapy.

Being dual trained as both a Mental Health Nurse and CBT therapist I am able to do a full holistic assessment of your needs and I session plan appropriately for what your goals for therapy are. You may be taking medication alongside considering therapy or you may have tried different types of therapies before and seen little improvements of your symptoms. I offer clients the opportunity to decide what aspect of their lives they would like to focus on to improve the quality of their lives.

I work with young people (ages 16 years plus) and adults (all ages). I can offer therapy to you in a safe non-judgemental environment and provide you with the space to share what you feel your difficulties are. I would describe myself as a highly empathic, person centred, dedicated therapist and I truly care about improving the quality of life of each person I meet. Most importantly, I like to help use my knowledge to make your life easier and happier! The majority of my clients come from recommendations rather than advisement.

Availability

Please note due to currently working in the NHS I am only available to offer sessions Wednesday/ Thursday/ Fridays  I am flexible and offer sessions between times of 8am - 8pm Wed to Friday. If you feel this may not work for you I would advise considering an alternative therapist in order for us to manage expectations.

I currently offer Face to Face and Remote sessions.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

The World Health Organisation estimates that 1 in 4 adults struggle with mental health difficulties at some point in their lifetime. In the year 2023, Mental health awareness is being discussed now more than ever.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)is an evidence based talking therapy which has been proven to be highly effective in working with and treating mental health problems.

The concept of CBT believes that what we think directly impacts what we feel and therefore how we behave as a result. Having CBT provides you the opportunity and space to consider how your thinking patterns affect your behaviour and your emotional state of mind as a result, breaking down thoughts/ worries and working towards understanding emotions.

Cognitive Behavioural therapy can help with a range of difficulties including;

• Depression
• Low mood
• Anger
• Anxiety (Generalised Anxiety disorder)
• Stress
• Panic disorder
• Health Anxiety
• Obsessive Compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Social Anxiety
• Post Traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD)
• Phobias
• Situational Anxiety

The mental health difficulties listed above is not an exclusive list. I would also like to highlight that a CBT therapist is not a psychiatrist and I do not ‘diagnose’. I simply look at the problems you are experiencing and work with you to;

1. Understand why you are experiencing these difficulties
2. Understand what maintains this problem which prevents you from breaking free from the cycle itself
3. Work with you using CBT directed techniques to break the cycle.

The British Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapy (BABCP) is a nationally recognised governing body for delivering Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. You can find my name listed on the BABCP website.

The number of sessions required can vary due to the client's presenting needs and conditions. Some individuals feel a short course of therapy helps while others request longer term sessions input. I follow NICE guidelines in relation to the recommended number of sessions required and will be able to advise on a number of sessions from the initial 1:1 assessment session.  Top-up/ booster sessions are available following a period of consolidation. Breaks from therapy are recommended to increase confidence in own ability to cope and manage areas of difficulty. 

What I can offer you

I currently only offer face to face in Chorley / Brinscall on set days.

I offer FREE 15 minute consultations via Telephone to provide you with the opportunity to discuss some of your struggles, ask questions about the therapy and of course to give you the opportunity to get to know me a little before booking a session.

Sessions must be paid for upfront. 

Initial assessments - If you are unsure if therapy is right for you if you would like a taster session to identify if I am the right therapist for you. There is no obligation to continue after this point.

Sessions range from £60 - £95 depending on session type, duration, location. You are not contracted to sessions once you start. (Discounts available for a block of sessions; concessions available for low income, students, Older adults, NHS workers, Police/ Military - Please enquire)

If you feel you are unsure whether CBT / EMDR/ CBASP/NET Therapy is the right therapy for you, or if indeed I am the right therapist for you please contact me with a brief description of the difficulties you are experiencing. If I feel you may benefit from a different form of therapy that I cannot personally provide I will be more than happy to point you in the right direction of a professional that could help you. I am happy to provide a copy of my contract as well as information on the CBT process. Please specify by email if you have a  specific query relating to the type of therapy provided; a brief description of the problems you are experiencing.

If you would like to book in for an assessment session or a 15 minute FREE telephone call for queries/ questions please book in via the contact form and I shall confirm your preferred call back time.

Please note it is advisable for the person requiring the therapy to self-refer.

I look forward to hearing from you and helping you in the future.

Warm wishes,

Gemma Quilliam 
(Maiden name - Gemma Knights)

Psychological TherapistCognitive Behavioural Therapist
EMDR/ CBASP/NET
RMN

Sessions are charged from £60 - 95 per session depending on session type, duration and location. Please enquire for more information. Price varies due to type of session/duration/location of the session.

I currently offer remote video therapy, telephone therapy, Face to Face Therapy.

Initial consultation - 15 minute telephone appointment FREE. If you are unsure if therapy is right for you and to identify compatibility of therapist. There is no obligation to continue after this point. Bookings can be made via counselling directory for telephone slots.

Payments can be made through Pabau. Please contact myself directly for these details (The system is currently being updated, payments will be requested via bank transfer.)

EMDR sessions; Please enquire.

(Discounts available for NHS workers, Unemployed, Students, OAPs and other, please enquire)

All sessions must be paid for upfront via online banking. The session must be paid for at the time of the booking. If this is not paid the slot will not be held.

If you feel you are unsure whether CBT / EMDR is the right therapy for you please contact me with a brief description of the difficulties you are experiencing. If I feel you may benefit from a different form of therapy that I cannot personally provide I will be more than happy to point you in the right direction of a professional that could help you. I am happy to provide a copy of my contract as well as information on the CBT process. Free 15 minute phone call to discuss is available on request. The purpose of this is to provide you opportunity to ask unanswered questions/ queries about taking up therapy with myself. Please see available booking time for booking a slot for me to call you - this is available via my Counselling Directory Profile. You will receive a text message confirming that your slot has been booked. 

Remote Telephone/ Video/ Face to Face.

Please check your employer/ insurance provider to see if you are eligible for sessions to be funded.