About Gem Thomson
BABCP-accredited psychotherapist
ABOUT ME
I’m a BABCP-accredited CBT therapist specialising in trauma, EMDR, schema therapy, and attachment-focused work. I help adults who are thoughtful, capable, and high-functioning, yet carry a lot internally. Many of the people I work with tend to keep things in, cope quietly, and manage emotions on their own, often because they’ve learned to stay strong for others or avoid burdening people.​
A lot of my clients feel stuck in familiar patterns — anxiety, internal pressure, guilt, overthinking, emotional shut-down, or relationship dynamics they can’t quite shift. Outwardly they’re organised and reliable, but inside they often feel disconnected, weighed down, or unsure how to move forward.
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My approach is steady, grounded, and structured. I don’t push emotional expression before it feels safe. Instead, I help clients understand what’s happening, make sense of their patterns, and work at a depth that feels manageable and contained. People often tell me they appreciate the clarity, the gentleness, and the ability to work through things without feeling overwhelmed.
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I integrate trauma-focused CBT, EMDR, schema therapy, and attachment-based approaches in a way that suits clients who like a clear process, reflective conversation, and space to think. My background in mental health nursing and earlier work in policing shaped a calm, steady way of working and an ability to stay anchored even when emotions are complex or difficult to access.
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My work is particularly suited to clients who are:
• thoughtful, capable, and reflective
• high-functioning but quietly overwhelmed
• used to keeping emotions inside
• people who cope quietly and handle things on their own
• carrying old patterns they can’t shift alone
• hard on themselves
• motivated to work between sessions
• wanting clarity, understanding, and long-term change
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I offer therapy online across the UK and internationally, as well as in-person in Glasgow.
Professional Training & CPD
I maintain a high level of professional development and regularly complete advanced training in trauma-focused CBT, EMDR, schema therapy, attachment-focused work, and complex trauma.
I stay updated with the latest clinical approaches and complete significantly more CPD than the BABCP annual requirement.
Recent training includes ISST-recognised schema therapy courses, EMDR for complex trauma, working with dissociation, trauma-informed approaches, attachment-based training, and specialist workshops in emotional shut-down and developmental trauma.
Professional Memberships, Training & Experience
Include:
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BABCP accreditation
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Registered Mental Health Nurse (NMC)
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EMDR training (EMDR practitioner)
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ISST-recognised schema therapy courses
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Trauma-focused CBT
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Attachment-focused training
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Dissociation & complex trauma training
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Compassion-focused workshops
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Two years of personal therapy
Advanced Training & CPD Highlights
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EMDR Therapy – Parts 1–4, plus advanced modules in:
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Memory Reconsolidation and Complex Trauma
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Working with Shame and Attachment Injury
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EMDR with Dissociation and Ego States
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Schema Therapy – ISST-Approved Training including:
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Foundations of Schema Therapy
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Working with Complexity and Personality Adaptations
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Imagery Rescripting (Tena Davis)
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Schema Therapy and EMDR Integration
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Other Specialist Workshops
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Trauma, Guilt & Shame (CFT approach)
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Structural Dissociation and Parts Work
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Working with Emotional Inhibition and Burnout
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Compassion-Focused Therapy for Trauma
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I engage in regular professional consultation with recognised experts in CBT, EMDR and Schema Therapy separately.
I have undertaken a sustained period of personal Schema Therapy over two years as part of my professional and reflective development
“I had always been sceptical about therapy, but having been
through it, the benefits have been amazing.”