Dr Orla Gibbons

I am a Clinical Psychologist with nine years of experience working within NHS mental health services. At present, I primarily offer EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) therapy for a range of difficulties including low mood, anxiety, trauma and relationship problems. In my experience, this type of therapy can lead to powerful shifts in emotions, thought patterns, behaviour and any distress that is held within the body. EMDR can be helpful for gaining deeper insight into problems, actively making changes, and resolving unprocessed pain from difficult past experiences. You may benefit if you have struggled to make further progress in traditional talking therapy or if you have the sense that you have good insight into your mental health yet continue to feel the same.

Together, we would understand how existing distress and difficulties have emerged from significant past events and memories, which are then processed within our sessions using bilateral stimulation. We would also spend time building up inner resources and confidence that you can cope with distress, find ways to regulate emotions and generally feel safe and secure in life. This may involve feeling safe and confident in moving through the world, as well as feeling safe to be vulnerable with others and able to express your feelings and needs. If we can find safety and connection with others, we can heal from the past.

Areas I work with

• Stress, anxiety, and panic.
• Low mood, hopelessness, or despair.
• Self-criticism, shame and low self-esteem.
• Relationship difficulties.
• Re-experiencing past events or flashbacks.
• Numbness, dissociation, or sense of disconnection.
• Phobias.
• Sleep problems.
• Physical symptoms related to distress held in the body.
• Difficulties that have led to diagnoses such as ‘Bipolar Disorder’ and ‘Personality Disorder’.

Qualifications and Training

I am a registered Clinical Psychologist. I completed my three-year doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of East London. I am a registered member of the Health and Care Professions Council. I have received training in CBT, Systemic Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and EMDR. I completed EMDR training parts one to three with Richman EMDR training approved by EMDRIA. I studied English Literature (BA) at the University of Manchester and completed a Psychology MSc at the University of Glasgow.