Gemma Pearson, CPsychol, MSc, BSc

Gemma Pearson

I am a registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and a Forensic Psychologist chartered with the British Psychological Society (BPS). I have over twenty years’ experience working across NHS, forensic, and private mental health services.

Throughout my career, I have worked with people experiencing a wide range of psychological difficulties. My approach is always grounded in understanding each person as an individual — taking the time to understand not only the difficulties someone is facing, but also the experiences, strengths, and patterns that have shaped them.

Whilst training as a Forensic Psychologist, I was particularly drawn to working with people with enduring and complex mental health needs, often linked to childhood trauma, difficult relationships, or painful life experiences. This led me towards Schema Therapy, which remains one of the core approaches I use today.

What continues to enthuse me about Schema Therapy is how relevant it is for a wide range of people. I work with both clients who may meet criteria for personality disorder, but also with people who appear highly capable and successful on the outside, yet privately feel stuck in repeating patterns that leave them disconnected, anxious, or unfulfilled. Often these patterns involve avoidance, perfectionism, self-criticism, or very high expectations of themselves.

I am also accredited in EMDR therapy, which I find really helpful for people to process trauma and difficult life experiences. One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is seeing clients who have felt emotionally “stuck” begin to reprocess painful memories, let go of long-held emotional burdens, and start to experience themselves and their future differently.

In recent years, I have increasingly worked with people in high-performing or demanding careers who are struggling with stress, burnout, anxiety, and work pressure. In this work, I often integrate Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approaches to help clients better understand patterns in their thinking, behaviour, and emotional responses. I also draw on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and compassion-focused approaches, helping people develop greater psychological flexibility and a healthier relationship with themselves.

It is also very important to me that the therapy I offer is grounded in strong theory and supported by evidence. In a time when more and more people are offering therapy without formal qualifications or specialist training, I believe clients deserve confidence that the support they receive is based on approaches that are known to be effective. I am committed to ongoing professional development and continued learning so that I can offer the highest standard of care possible.

I have experience working with neurodivergent clients, including individuals with ADHD and autism. I recognise that many neurodivergent people have spent years feeling misunderstood, overwhelmed, or under pressure to fit expectations that do not reflect how they experience the world. I have seen the range of different needs people with neurodiversity can have. I will listen to your individual experiences of your neurodiversity and work with you to tailor therapy so that it is inclusive of your experiences.

I have over twenty years of experience offering psychological assessment and expert witness reports. These can cover mental health assessment, personality disorder, cognitive and forensic risk assessment.  

​I am a member of the British Psychological Society Register for Applied Psychology Practice Supervisors (RAPPs) and have supervised a range of individuals including psychologists, trainee’s, healthcare staff and Prison staff.