Welcome Note

Hello, my name is Gerard.

Firstly, I’d like to extend a warm welcome and thank you for visiting my page.

A bit about me. I am an experienced psychological therapist with over 22 years of service in mental health within NHS Scotland. My career began back in 2003 working in hospital acute admissions, treating an array of presentations, and where I developed a strong foundation in crisis care and mental health management. I then transitioned to a senior role in liaison psychiatry, working across various A&E settings, where I gained valuable experience in assessing and managing mental health crises in a fast-paced environment. For the past 12 years, I have worked within a specialist eating disorder service, providing specialist psychological therapy to individuals with a wide range of complex mental health presentations.

Throughout my career, I have continued to enhance my clinical expertise, completing two postgraduate university diplomas , achieving professional accreditation as a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist (CBT) (BABCP) and a Cognitive Analytic Therapist (CAT) (ACAT). Additionally, I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), enabling me to support clients with a range of complex mental health challenges.

My therapeutic approach is integrative, evidence-based, and tailored to each individual’s needs. I am passionate about creating a safe, collaborative, and inclusive space for clients to explore their difficulties and work towards meaningful change.

I now bring my experience and expertise to Donnelly Psychological Therapy, where I offer personalised, compassionate support to those seeking therapy.

Helping you make sense of it all

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Finding the Right Support

Although I provide evidenced based/ structured psychological therapy, in my experience some difficulties are best supported by a wider, multidisciplinary team, and this is an area I feel strongly about. The service I offer may not be the most suitable option for you if:

• You’re already receiving care from an NHS mental health team and require specific therapy that closely integrates with their approach.

• You are currently in crisis or need urgent, high-intensity support.

• Showing high levels of risk to yourself or others, where regular monitoring and crisis planning are essential.

• Experiencing symptoms of psychosis or other mental health conditions that require coordinated medical and psychiatric input.

If any of these apply, it absolutely does not mean you are beyond help, it simply means a different kind of support might be more effective and safer for where you are right now. The most important thing is that you find the care that best meets your needs.

What I can provide:

I have experience in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including:

  • Anxiety Disorders, including Social Anxiety, Health Anxiety and Panic Disorder

  • Depression

  • Eating Disorders, including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

  • Gender Identity and Related Concerns

  • Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

  • Self-esteem and self-worth issues

  • Stress

  • Family support sessions

  • And others

Pricing:

Sessions are priced from:

£90 per hour

(via bank transfer)

For the best therapeutic outcome, I would recommend weekly sessions where possible. However, fortnightly sessions are also available to suit individual needs.

Starting therapy

Sessions are usually 60 minutes, currently being held online, via Zoom or Microsoft Teams, depending on your preference. We begin with a first meeting to see if it feels like the right fit. There’s no obligation to continue beyond that.

[Find out more about what to expect →]

(From time to time I’m able to offer a reduced rate for people who are struggling financially. These places are limited, but if this would make therapy possible for you, you’re welcome to get in touch and we can talk it through).

Useful Resources:

There are many free, helpful resources available online and via mobile apps:

Urgent Support

If you are currently experiencing suicidal thoughts, and actively thinking about harming yourself, and as a result feel unable to keep yourself safe, please know that you are not alone. It is however essential to seek urgent support by calling 999 for immediate help.

If you are in crisis, please contact your GP to discuss the services and supports that may be available to you locally. If this occurs outside of your GP’s opening hours, you can call NHS 24 on 111 for assistance. In an emergency, you can also visit your nearest A&E department for immediate psychiatric support.

Crisis Helplines

  • The Samaritans: 116 123 (24/7 emotional support)

  • Breathing Space: 0800 83 85 87 (support for mental health and wellbeing)

  • NHS 24: 111 (urgent health advice in Scotland)

  • Shout – text SHOUT to 85258 for confidential text support

  • CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)

    0800 58 58 58 (every day, 5pm–midnight)

    Chat online via their website too. Especially focused on men, but open to anyone.

  • Childline: 0800 1111

    For children and young people under 19.

  • Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline:

    0300 330 0630 (10am–10pm every day)

    Chat online or by email too. Volunteers are all LGBTQ+.

While 1:1 therapy can be incredibly helpful, there are other resources like books, podcasts and online courses that can add to the overall therapeutic experience. Here are some that I have personally found useful:

  1. Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness, by David A. Treleaven (book)

  2. Overcoming Depression, by Paul Gilbert (book)

  3. Overcoming Health Anxiety, by Rob William & David Veale (book)

  4. Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts, by Sally M. Winston & Martin N. Seif. (Book)

  5. Feel Better, Live More, by Dr Rangan Chatterjee. (Podcast)

  6. The Mind Podcast

  7. The Full of Beans Podcast

Choosing a psychological therapist who is properly trained and qualified in an evidence-based approach is essential. Do your homework, and make sure they are accredited and actively registered with a governing body.

Qualifications:

2025 - PG Diploma Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)- Queen Margaret University Edinburgh (Accredited)

2024 - PG Certificate Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)- Queen Margaret University Edinburgh

2016 - Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR) Training (Levels 1,2 & 3)- EMDR Works

2015 - PG Diploma Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT)- Sheffield Hallam University (Accredited)

2003 - Registered Nurse- Mental Health (00B0309S)

Professional Registrations & Memberships

  • Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC):00B0309S

  • British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP):00001025216

  • Association for Cognitive Analytic Therapy (ACAT): ACAT12833