Kelly Gear
My Experience
I have worked within the NHS since 2013. I first joined the NHS as a registered mental health nurse. During this time, I worked in acute wards and in the community. In 2018, I started additional training to become a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) practitioner, completed the course in 2019 and in 2020, I became a fully accredited therapist.
I have predominantly worked with adults (18 years and over) with a range of mental health difficulties, presenting challenges and severities including:
* Depression and low mood
* Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
* Stress
* Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks
* Health Anxiety
* Social Anxiety
* Specific Phobias
* Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
* Low Self-Esteem
* Mental health difficulties such as low mood and anxiety linked to having a long term physical health condition
My aim is to give you the information you need to make an informed decision about working with me without feeling overwhelmed.
If you would like to know more about my experience or qualifications, please feel free to ask me additional questions about this during our initial telephone call.
Models I Work With
I am primarily a cognitive behavioural therapist but like to use tools and principles from other therapeutic models such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT).
Whenever we blend tools, this will be a joint decision and clearly identified during treatment.
My Values
I truly believe in working as a team to help you understand, process and manage the areas you are finding difficult. You are the expert in what you are currently experiencing and I bring the evidence-based expertise in cognitive behavioural therapy principles and tools.
Before we begin the therapeutic process, it is essential that we ensure CBT is the right treatment for you and that you feel safe during our time together. I therefore ensure I provide a friendly, supportive, warm, validating and confidential environment that meets your individual needs.
This is created by having an open and honest discussion during our initial session about your current difficulties, what CBT is and how we would like our sessions to be run.
We will then develop a shared understanding of what your current challenges are and what you would like your life to look like if the impact of your difficulties were reduced.
My ultimate goal is to give you tools that will help increase your sense of empowerment and confidence to manage your current difficulties and the future challenges of life.
Clinic Information
I currently offer a virtual daytime clinic on Mondays for people aged 18 and over.
Training and Qualifications
* Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Long Term Conditions and Medically Unexplained Symptoms Module, University of Southampton, 2023
* Post Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Anxiety and Depression, University of Southampton, 2019
* Bachelor or Nursing in Mental Health Branch, University of Southampton, 2013
Please note I also engage in a minimum of 5 days continuing professional development every year to ensure I maintain, update and expand my therapeutic skills.
Membership of Professional Bodies British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) Membership number – 997817
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) NMC Pin – 13H0336E