About Me: Gemma Holmes

I am an experienced, Registered and Chartered Psychologist with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the British Psychological Society (BPS). I am also an Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist with the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists (BABCP) and a qualified Eye Movement Desensitising and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist.
I offer individual psychological therapy, consultancy and supervision from my private practice in Ayr. I have ten years experience of working in a secure inpatient psychiatric service with adults with severe and enduring mental health problems where I completed my training as a Psychologist. Here, I provide specialist psychological therapy for complex trauma and severe and enduring mental health problems. I also supervise other professionals in the delivery of psychological interventions. Prior to this I worked with children with learning and behavioural difficulties within educational settings.
I am a Clinical Supervisor on the Diploma in CBT at the Centre of Therapy, Glasgow, providing CBT supervision for student therapists. I also work as a Psychological Associate with DysGuise Ltd conducting psychological assessments with individuals and within organisations for various educational/learning difficulties. As part of my work with DysGuise, I am also a CogMed Coach, which is a specialist support programme for improving working memory function.
I provide specifically tailored therapy for clients based on each individual's own unique needs and circumstances. I use an integrated approach to therapy, drawing on a number of psychological and counselling orientations, for the treatment of a variety of psychological difficulties. I also offer supervision for other therapists and training workshops for individuals and organisations in a range of therapeutic and mental health-related topics. Click on the links for more information on my therapy service and other services.
I offer individual psychological therapy, consultancy and supervision from my private practice in Ayr. I have ten years experience of working in a secure inpatient psychiatric service with adults with severe and enduring mental health problems where I completed my training as a Psychologist. Here, I provide specialist psychological therapy for complex trauma and severe and enduring mental health problems. I also supervise other professionals in the delivery of psychological interventions. Prior to this I worked with children with learning and behavioural difficulties within educational settings.
I am a Clinical Supervisor on the Diploma in CBT at the Centre of Therapy, Glasgow, providing CBT supervision for student therapists. I also work as a Psychological Associate with DysGuise Ltd conducting psychological assessments with individuals and within organisations for various educational/learning difficulties. As part of my work with DysGuise, I am also a CogMed Coach, which is a specialist support programme for improving working memory function.
I provide specifically tailored therapy for clients based on each individual's own unique needs and circumstances. I use an integrated approach to therapy, drawing on a number of psychological and counselling orientations, for the treatment of a variety of psychological difficulties. I also offer supervision for other therapists and training workshops for individuals and organisations in a range of therapeutic and mental health-related topics. Click on the links for more information on my therapy service and other services.
Qualifications & Training
Academic Qualifications:
Forensic Risk Assessment Training:
- Professional Qualification in Forensic Psychology
- MSc Applied Forensic Psychology
- Diploma in Counselling and Groupwork: A Cognitive Behavioural Approach
- Pg Cert. Psychology & Mental Health
- BSc Psychology (Hons)
Other Professional/Therapy Training: - Cognitive Behavioural Analysis System for Psychotherpy (CBASP)
- Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT)
- CogMed Coach Training - For Working Memory Difficulties.
- Mentalization Based Therapy Skills (MBT)
- Professional (CPD) Certificate in Individual Supervision of Counsellors/Psychotherapists
- An Introduction to the Theory & Practice of Schema Therapy
- Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Psychosis
- Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Reinforce Appropriate Implode Destructive (RAID): Managing Challenging Behaviour
- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
- Motivational Interviewing
- Personality Disorder Awareness
Forensic Risk Assessment Training:
- Historical and Clinical Risk Assessment (HCR-20)
- Risk of Sexual Violence Protocol (RSVP)
- Sexual Violence Risk 20 (SVR-20)
- Assessing Psychopathic Personality (PCL-R)
Professional Memberships
I adhere to the codes of conduct outlined by the following organisations:
- British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists (BABCP) - Accredited Member (MBABCP).
- British Psychological Society (BPS) - Chartered Psychologist, full member (CPsychol).
- Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) - Registered Psychologist.
- Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Association Uk & Ireland - Qualified member.
Professional Practice Supervision
Regular clinical supervision is an essential part of therapeutic practice and is an ongoing requirement for accreditation and membership of regulatory organisations. I receive regular individual supervision with an accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist and both group and individual supervision for supervisors with fellow accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapists and accredited trainers.