Our Therapists
The CCBT Cork therapist network is a dynamic network of clinicians. CCBT Cork therapists are passionate about providing high quality cognitive behaviour treatments to their clients. Therapy at CCBT Cork consists of ‘full CBT treatment’ as this is the type of CBT that informs the evidence base. This is different from therapy that offers some CBT techniques. All therapists who are part of the network participate in continuous professional development and everyone in our therapist community collaborates and shares their CBT learning, facilitating a cycle of continuous reflection and practitioner development to the benefit of clients.
Anne-Marie gained her primary and postgraduate degrees in UCD & UCC and has worked with HSE Adult Mental Health Services for a 10 year period as a senior practitioner and manager. Prior to this Anne-Marie worked with statutory Child and Family Services. She holds additional qualifications in Child & Young Person CBT (Cert. SDS Training) and has trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. She is a certified TEAM CBT Therapist (advanced CBT) with the Feeling Good Institute, California US & an APT level 2 Accredited Clinical Supervisor. Anne-Marie is particularly grateful for her extensive work as a CBT Therapist with the NHS as part of their world leading ‘Improving Access to Psychological Therapy’ (IAPT) programme and as a clinical supervisor, supervising the practice of a large number of therapists across the UK with a renowned CBT digital health & NHS provider. Anne-Marie’s emphasis in her work with clients is as much on the therapeutic relationship as it is in helping people to acquire new skills. To be effective, CBT does require engagement in meaningful practice or homework between sessions and what this involves is explained in a first session. Anne-Marie’s experience is that CBT can be a game changer in achieving a sustainable improvement in your mental health and she extends a very warm welcome to you as you commence your CBT journey whether in person at the centre or remotely via video platform or telephone.
BABCP Accred. No 090399.
NMBI Pin Number 64564.
James has undertaken his education (mental health, psychotherapy; psychology; research degrees) with University College Cork, Trinity College Dublin and the University of Derby. He undertook his postgraduate training in Cognitive Psychotherapy (CBT) with the School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin and completed a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in Medicine & Health with the Graduate College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork in the area of depression. He is the Programme Lead/ University Lecturer for the postgraduate training (Pg Dip/ MSc) in CBT in University College Cork (UCC). In addition to teaching on the postgraduate diploma/ masters in CBT, he also teaches students on the Doctor of Clinical Psychology programme in UCC and on the undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Mental Health Nursing.
James is also trained in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) which is a specialised form of psychotherapy used to work with individuals experiencing severe emotional dysregulation or those experiencing self-harm and suicidal behaviours. James worked in the public mental health services for 20 years in both senior clinical and management roles. James is a warm and friendly practitioner and following an initial assessment a plan can be made collaboratively to work on the difficulties you are experiencing.
As James is also a Registered Advanced Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in Psychiatry, he will be able to discuss your treatment including any medications you may have been prescribed by your GP or Consultant Psychiatrist. He has a specialist interest in working with anxiety disorders, sleep disorders and depression and working with the LGBTQ community.
Post Grad Dip (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy).
BABCP Accred. No : 00000999456.
Denise completed her psychiatric nursing and CBT training in UCC. Since 2014 she has worked with a full range of mental health problems in both adolescent and adult mental health settings.
Denise is passionate about delivering strongest evidence based CBT treatment protocols and has a down to earth approach that is encouraging, supportive and empathetic. She thoroughly enjoys engaging with young clients. Through a collaborative and warm approach, Denise aims to develop a mutual understanding of a person’s difficulties in order to select the most suitable course of CBT therapy.
Denise finds the process of guiding clients towards their own personal recovery armed with CBT knowledge and skills to be highly rewarding. She is experienced in delivering CBT via telephone and video platforms and has found the ‘teletherapy’ approach can be as effective as face to face treatments.
As a three time all Ireland senior camogie medalist, Denise has a special interest in CBT in the elite sporting context both to optimise athletes’ experience of and performance of their sport as well as for sportspeople at risk of or who may have developed mental health challenges. CBT in elite sports is an emerging specialism supported by research and Denise has found it to be particularly beneficial in helping athletes to manage transitions.
Steve worked in various senior positions in the Health Service. He joined Belfast CAMHS in 2010 working both as the Manager of two multi-disciplinary community based teams in localities of the South-Eastern Trust and in the crisis assessment team. Steve has extensive experience with adolescents and adults who present with depressive and anxiety disorders. He has also experience in CBT Supervision both with trainee CBT Therapists, Qualified CBT therapists and also chaired the CBT Group Supervision for CAMHS.
In addition to his CCBT therapist practice, Steve works as a part-time Research Consultant with Queens University Belfast in a Random Control Trial on Complex PTSD in conjunction with Oxford University. Steve has also an interest in research on Generalised Anxiety Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and working with such patients.
Steve has a strong value base and is committed to maintaining high standards of assessment, practice, personal conduct and ensuring his knowledge and skills are up to date. He believes strongly in collaboration with the patient through being open, honest and transparent about treatment options and treatment itself. Steve believes strongly in acceptance, being non-judgmental and embraces and practices equality and diversity.
Gemma is is also a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Trainer.
Gemma completed her MSC in Mindfulness Based Interventions in UCD in 2018 and is a member of the MTAI. She regularly leads & facilitates the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction 8-week programme to adults. She is a fully trained primary SEN teacher and is a fully trained Paws B facilitator and she teaches mindfulness to children and adolescents.
Gemma is a warm, friendly and compassionate practitioner. She is passionate about helping clients become their own CBT Therapists using powerful and effective CBT methods and techniques to achieve and maintain optimal mental health.
Gemma is eligible for and working towards submitting her BABCP accreditation application.
MSci., BA., DipHE., Pg.D., Cert.HE.
Our Centre
Established by Anne-Marie Shepherd in 2018, CCBT Cork represents a network of dedicated Cognitive Behaviour Therapists delivering evidence based treatments to people aged 15+ in Cork City Centre with an additional base in Fermoy Town. With appointments available 7 days a week, the centre aims to increase accessibility to CBT with clinicians who have undertaken 2 to 3 years post graduate dedicated CBT training and who have achieved, or are eligible and working towards achieving accreditation with a CBT specific accreditation body.
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) and its international equivalents recommends full ‘disorder specific’ CBT treatment as the first line of psychological treatment for common mental health difficulties. This is because of its proven track record through high quality research as an effective therapy.
BABCP accreditation
CCBT Cork Network Affiliates are accredited with the BABCP. The BABCP is the British & Irish Association of Behavioural Cognitive Psychotherapists, a leading organisation for the theory, practice and development of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in the UK & Ireland. CBTI (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Ireland) accreditation is also recognised by the centre. Both accrediting bodies signals the gold standard of expertise of a CBT Therapist and of CBT quality. Any counsellor, psychotherapist or CBT therapist can be a BABCP or CBTI member but achieving accreditation with these bodies demonstrates that the CBT therapist has met the stringent criteria around qualifications and clinical experience.
Values of CCBT Cork
CCBT Cork clients are treated with respect and curtesy at all times. The centre represents independent, accredited and insured CBT Therapists, who as scientist practitioners are committed to the lifelong development of their CBT practice. CBT Therapists who are part of the CCBT Cork ‘Network Affiliation’ value continual professional development with the centre being a hub of CBT activity in delivering individual treatments, clinical supervision for trainee therapists as well as qualified therapists and in hosting continual professional development events for our network affiliates as well as the wider CBT therapy community in Cork and beyond.