emily gardner
cBT therapist for anxiety
My path to becoming a therapist has been a personal one. I struggled with tolerating uncertainty in most areas of my life, which lead to excessive worry, compulsive behaviours and panic attacks. After deciding that I wasn’t going to let anxiety rule my life anymore, I reached out for help and began a course of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
This was the beginning of my journey to becoming a therapist.
Only then did I realise the power of my own thoughts and how they were driving my behaviours; keeping me stuck in a continuous cycle of worry and fear. I learnt powerful practical tools to understand the root of my difficulties, balance my thinking, change unhelpful behaviours and calm my mind and body.
Having benefitted so much from therapy, I jumped at the chance to train as a CBT therapist myself. I wanted to dedicate my career to helping others who felt the way that I had. I wanted to help them to understand exactly what is keeping their anxiety going, and that they have the power to reclaim their life by using simple, practical, evidence-based techniques.
So, here we are almost 10 years later!
I’ve worked both for the NHS and in private practice for many years now, fully accredited with the BABCP, treating people with anxiety disorders, as well as depression and eating disorders. I have specialised training from the highly regarded Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London, the Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
I believe that my own experience ‘on the other side’ of the room is beneficial to us both. I know first-hand how it feels to have your life beset with anxiety, but having come out the other side, I also know that change is possible with the right support and guidance.
My approach - Everyone has a unique story.
I’m here to listen, understand and match you with the most effective strategies for your needs. We’ll start our sessions by coming to a shared understanding of what exactly is going on for you, then work together to set your individual therapy goals. While it’s good to allow space for new insights and lessons to emerge, these goals are an important touchstone to return to. They’ll help us both to ensure that you’re achieving exactly what you want from our work.
Although the main approach I use is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), it may be helpful to draw from other therapies depending on your goals and needs. As our sessions unfold, we may incorporate learnings from Compassion Focussed Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Therapy.
I’m also an Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) specialist, which is a technique used in CBT, mainly to treat OCD, panic disorder and phobias.
My therapeutic style is warm, encouraging and light-hearted - things are difficult enough for you right now! - and I will always ensure that your sessions feel like a safe and non-judgmental space.
Accreditation – BABCP since 2019
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2023 – DBT Essentials, The Association for Psychological Therapies (APT), Level 1 Accredited
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2019 – PGDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapies
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2016 – PGCert in Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Interventions
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2013 – BSc Psychology
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