Jemima Bem
Clinical Lecturer, University of Adelaide
Psychologist
Adelaide, South Australia
Australia
Highest Degree Held: Ph.D.
Specialties: complex trauma, anxiety, depression, behavioural, attachment, trauma, grief
Types of Clients: Adults, Couples
Languages spoken: English
Licensures/Certifications: AHPRA
ACT/CBS Background and Training: I discovered ACT about 15 years ago, as more than a therapy modality - but rather as a means to cope with Trigeminal Neuralgia - a condition I struggled with for 8 years. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that some of the strategies I was (intuitively) utilising were part of a scientifically recognised therapy (i.e., ACT) . I passionately believe in ACT; not only because I think it is good therapy but because I know it works.
Since that time I have voraciously read ACT-realted textbooks and attended numerous training workshops. I have also been fortunate enough to attend a training session under Kelly Wilson - one of the 'founding fathers' of ACT and an ACT World Conference in 2022. My curiosity about the mechanisms-of-change underlying ACT led me to undertake further academic study in psychology, which recently culminated in the unconditional acceptance of my doctoral thesis, which merged ACT principles with non-moral shame and self-forgiveness. I was awarded the degree of PhD/Master(Clinical) program at the School of Psychology, University of Adelaide in February 2025.
My doctoral research explored the premise that psychological flexibility - a core tenet of ACT - helps "override" entrenched shame (and guilt) self-concepts and associated phenomena to facilitate genuine self-forgiveness. Specifically, my research demonstrates that self-forgiveness, as informed by the psychological flexibility model can be effectively applied beyond typical moral (i.e., wrongdoing) contexts to offer new therapeutic possibilities for individuals burdened by shame/guilt linked to events beyond their control (e.g., illness, trauma).
I currently practice as a psychologist, with interests in the areas of complex trauma, chronic pain and complicated grief.
Since that time I have voraciously read ACT-realted textbooks and attended numerous training workshops. I have also been fortunate enough to attend a training session under Kelly Wilson - one of the 'founding fathers' of ACT and an ACT World Conference in 2022. My curiosity about the mechanisms-of-change underlying ACT led me to undertake further academic study in psychology, which recently culminated in the unconditional acceptance of my doctoral thesis, which merged ACT principles with non-moral shame and self-forgiveness. I was awarded the degree of PhD/Master(Clinical) program at the School of Psychology, University of Adelaide in February 2025.
My doctoral research explored the premise that psychological flexibility - a core tenet of ACT - helps "override" entrenched shame (and guilt) self-concepts and associated phenomena to facilitate genuine self-forgiveness. Specifically, my research demonstrates that self-forgiveness, as informed by the psychological flexibility model can be effectively applied beyond typical moral (i.e., wrongdoing) contexts to offer new therapeutic possibilities for individuals burdened by shame/guilt linked to events beyond their control (e.g., illness, trauma).
I currently practice as a psychologist, with interests in the areas of complex trauma, chronic pain and complicated grief.
ACT/CBS Experience: 12 years +
Additional Information: ACT is about learning new ways to relate to unwanted and uncomfortable inner experiences (thoughts, emotions, attitudes, memories, sensations) so they have less influence and impact on life-affirming actions. This facilitates living a fuller, richer, more meaningful life regardless of external circumstances.