BSc (Hons), PgDip, O.A. Dip
Gemma Louise
Hello, and thank you for visiting my page...
Reaching out is the first step — and it’s a brave one!!
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Admitting that you need support, and deciding to seek it through therapy, can feel like one of the most daunting decisions you'll ever make. But if you've made it as far as reading this, then you already have something to be proud of.
When you make that first call, I can promise you’ll be met with kindness, compassion, empathy, and a genuine understanding. You’ve already taken the hardest step — reaching out — and I’ll be here to walk with you from that point forward.
I offer a free 30-minute consultation, giving us a chance to have an informal chat about your situation. My hope is that by the end of that call, I can help replace some of your fear with a sense of relief, hope, and possibility.
I look forward to speaking with you.
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Gemma
A Little About Me
I was born and raised in the Lake District, surrounded by nature, community, and the kind of quiet beauty that teaches you to slow down and pay attention. In my early adulthood, I drifted through cities across the UK searching for purpose — but in truth, I was lost. Untethered. Unsure of who I was or where I belonged.
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Everything changed when I returned to Cumbria in 2008, following the birth of my daughter and a series of personal challenges that forced me to stop running and start rebuilding. It was during that time I made the decision to return to education and pursue a career that meant something — something rooted in helping people.
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My own experience of therapy was life-changing. It helped me rebuild my self-esteem, cultivate self-compassion, and develop boundaries that honoured who I was becoming. Most importantly, it gave me the space to heal — to let go of the past, to forgive, and to believe in a future that could actually feel good. That transformation lit a fire in me: I wanted to be that safe, grounding presence for others — someone who could sit in the dark with you until you find your light again.
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Therapy, for me, is where science meets soul. I’ve always been fascinated by human behaviour — the “why” behind what we do and how we feel — and becoming a therapist allowed me to blend that curiosity with empathy, intuition, and heart. It’s work that feels profoundly personal and endlessly meaningful.
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Today, I live in Manchester with my family and our much-loved fur babies. I carry my past with compassion and use it to inform and energise everything I do — from my work as a Senior Psychotherapist and Clinical Director, to my newest venture, She Thinks Different.
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All the services within my organisation are born and developed from lived experience — mine, and the countless stories shared with me in therapy rooms over the years.
When I was diagnosed in my late 30s with AuDHD, the pieces finally clicked into place. I understood why I’d spent a lifetime feeling both too much and not enough. That diagnosis changed everything — personally and professionally. It helped me see that what I once thought was chaos was actually creativity; that what looked like burnout was brilliance without balance.
I created She Thinks Different for women like me — those who see the world differently, think deeply, feel intensely, and are done apologising for it. This platform exists to reframe neurodivergence: not as something to fix, but something to honour and harness. Through coaching, courses, and community, we help women unmask, rebuild, and rise — with clarity, confidence, and unapologetic authenticity.
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Alongside my role as Clinical Director, I continue to practise as a Senior Psychotherapist and Neurodivergent Coach. Staying actively engaged in client work keeps me grounded in the heart of what I do — and reminds me every day of the power of human connection, resilience, and change.
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When I’m not working, you’ll usually find me outdoors — hiking with friends, walking our two giant dogs, or disappearing into the calm of wild camping. And when I’m not in nature, I’m recharging with a good book, a great TV series, or quiet time with the people (and pets) I love most.
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Because no matter how much my world expands, my purpose remains the same: to help others find peace in who they are — and the courage to build a life that fits them, not the other way around.
My Professional Biography
I graduated with an Honours degree in Neuropsychology from the University of Central Lancashire in 2016, following earlier studies in Human Physiology and Sociology at Furness College, Barrow-in-Furness.
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I went on to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in the Advanced Practice of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) at the University of Cumbria, where I also delivered a free CBT clinic alongside my studies to gain additional hands-on experience.
Earlier in my career, I supported individuals living with acquired brain injuries, which first ignited my passion for long-term emotional and psychological rehabilitation.
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Over the past eight years, I have developed a successful private therapy practice, working with clients of all ages who experience a wide range of emotional, cognitive, and psychological challenges. My client base has included:
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Self-funded individuals
Employee referrals through partnerships with local businesses (including solicitors, insurers, and care providers)
Referrals from local authorities, schools, and educational institutions
Collaborative work with charities and non-profit organisations
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I also have specialist experience providing tailored psychological support for looked-after children, including those in foster placements and residential care settings.
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I am deeply committed to ongoing learning and invest continuously in my professional development. My CPD training portfolio includes:
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CBT for Social Anxiety Disorder
PTSD and Complex PTSD
Safeguarding (Children and Vulnerable Adults)
Children & Young People’s Mental Health
Mental Health First Aid and Workplace Advocacy
Child Psychology and Play Therapy
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Family Mediation and Challenging Behaviour
Couples Therapy Foundations
Mindfulness-Based CBT (Advanced)
Life Coaching for ADHD
Autism Awareness and Inclusive Practice
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In addition, I hold formal certifications in:
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Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention
Mental Health First Aid (including workplace applications)
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I am currently undertaking further specialist training with Professor Susan Young in Cognitive Behavioural Coaching for young people and adults, deepening my expertise in neurodivergent therapy and coaching interventions.
My Clinical Approach
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My work centres on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) — an evidence-based, highly effective approach for treating a wide range of mental health, emotional, and psychological challenges. Alongside this, I specialise in female ADHD coaching and autism support, helping neurodivergent women and young people understand, accept, and work with their minds — not against them.
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Working within the private sector has afforded me the opportunity to undertake extensive further training, allowing me to draw upon additional therapeutic modalities when clinically appropriate. These include:
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Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Psychodynamic Therapy
Relationship and Life Coaching
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This integrative approach means that no two sessions look the same. Every client receives an individualised treatment plan designed around their specific needs, goals, and preferences — ensuring therapy feels personal, practical, and purposeful.
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I work with individuals (adults and young people), couples, families, and children, offering both in-person sessions in Manchester and online therapy for clients across the UK and internationally.
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My clinic is a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for all — regardless of gender, age, background, religion, or financial circumstances. If you’re unsure whether I’m the right fit for your needs, I invite you to arrange a free initial consultation — a relaxed opportunity to discuss what you’re looking for and how we might work together.
Professional Standards
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You can expect a service that is both professional and deeply human.
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Enhanced DBS certified
Fully insured for private practice
Regular clinical supervision with a senior practitioner
Ongoing CPD training to keep my knowledge current and evidence-based
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From the moment you reach out, you can expect complete confidentiality, ethical practice, and a compassionate, non-judgemental approach. Every client relationship is built on trust, respect, and the shared goal of meaningful, lasting change.
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These are a selection of issues I can help clients with:
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Panic attack/disorders
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Agoraphobia
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Post Traumatic Stress
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Trauma
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Health anxiety
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Abuse
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Anorexia Nervosa
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Binge-Eating Disorder
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Bullying
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Relationship issues
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Self harm
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Sexual Issues
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Stress
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Work Related Stress
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Worry (Generalised Anxiety Disorder)
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Specific phobias
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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
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Thrichotillomania (skin picking and hair pulling)
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Anger issues
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Emotional Abuse
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Low Self-Confidence
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Physical Abuse
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Pre-nuptial Counselling
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Schizophrenia
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Separation and divorce
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Bipolar Disorder/ Manic Depression
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Compulsive Hoarding
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Disability support
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Chronic illness
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ASD/ADHD
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Behavioural Therapies
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Cognitive Therapy
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Humanistic Therapies
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Integrative
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ADHD Coaching
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Autism Support
Sessions take place in a cosy therapy room located within the building. You’ll have access to a private waiting area and nearby bathroom facilities. Complimentary refreshments are also available, as your comfort and relaxation are my top priorities during your time with me.
What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a structured, evidence-based talking therapy that focuses on the connections between our thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and physical sensations. The central idea is that by changing one of these areas—particularly unhelpful thinking or behaviour patterns—we can positively influence the others and begin to feel better.
When we’re feeling low, anxious, or overwhelmed, it’s common to fall into patterns of thinking or responding that unintentionally keep us stuck. CBT helps us identify, understand, and change these patterns so that we can improve how we feel and function in daily life.
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What to Expect in our sessions:
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Here and Now Focus: CBT mainly works on your current difficulties, although your past may be explored to understand how it’s influencing your present.
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Collaborative Approach: We work together as a team. CBT isn’t something done to you—it’s a process you’re actively involved in.
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Goal Setting: Therapy goals are set together, based on a shared understanding of the issues you want to address.
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In-Between Session Work: CBT is most effective when you practise skills outside of sessions. Tasks (sometimes called "homework") are planned together and tailored to your needs.
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Lasting Change: As therapy progresses, you’ll learn practical tools and strategies that you can continue to use in everyday life, even after therapy ends.
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For more information on CBT, including its benefits and limitations, you can visit the NHS England website.