Counsellor - Jess
Profile
- Level 5 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling Practice
- Integrative Counsellor (Person-Centred, Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
- Level 6: Trauma Practice (Ongoing)
- Member of the British Association of Counsellors & Psychotherapists (MBACP)
- Adults and young people (18+)
- Presentation specialisms: Anxiety, Depression, Trauma (including abuse), Childhood Neglect, Self-esteem, Relationship Challenges, Life Transitions, Grief and Loss, Identity Issues, Stress Management
- Appointments available: Wednesday evenings, Thursday daytime.
- Session formats: Face-to-face, Online (Google Meet, Zoom), Telephone
About Jessica
Jessica is a highly dedicated and compassionate integrative counsellor committed to providing a safe, non-judgemental space where clients can explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences at their own pace. Jessica brings a profound and nuanced understanding of the therapeutic journey, which has given her deep insight into how therapeutic needs evolve across different life stages, the vital importance of safety and trust in the therapeutic relationship, and the transformative power of being truly heard and understood.
Jessica’s approach is grounded in the belief that every individual has the capacity for growth, healing, and positive change when provided with the right support and environment. She recognises that seeking therapy can feel daunting, and she works collaboratively with clients to create a warm, supportive space where vulnerability is welcomed and personal growth is nurtured.
Therapeutic Approach
Jessica’s integrative approach draws from multiple therapeutic modalities, allowing her to tailor her work to each client’s unique needs, preferences, and goals. This flexibility ensures that therapy is truly client-centred and responsive to what will work best for each individual.
Person-Centred Approach (PCA)
At the heart of Jessica’s practice is a person-centred foundation. She believes in the innate capacity of individuals to find their own solutions and works to create the core conditions necessary for therapeutic change: unconditional positive regard, empathy, and congruence. Jessica provides a non-judgmental, accepting space where clients feel valued and understood exactly as they are. This approach empowers clients to explore their experiences, discover their own insights, and make meaningful changes at a pace that feels right for them.
Pschodynamic
Jessica draws on psychodynamic principles to help clients understand how past experiences, particularly from childhood, continue to influence their present thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. This approach explores the unconscious patterns and defences that may have developed as protective mechanisms, but which might now be causing difficulties. By bringing these patterns into conscious awareness within the safety of the therapeutic relationship, clients can begin to understand themselves more deeply and make different choices. Psychodynamic work can be particularly valuable for exploring recurring patterns in relationships, understanding strong emotional reactions that seem disproportionate to current situations, and making sense of how early experiences shape our internal world and sense of self.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Jessica integrates CBT techniques to help clients identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours. This evidence-based approach provides practical tools and strategies for managing anxiety, depression, stress, and other difficulties. Jessica works collaboratively with clients to understand the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, and to develop healthier coping strategies that can be applied in everyday life.
Trauma-Informed Practice
Jessica is trained in trauma-informed approaches and understands how past adverse experiences can affect present-day functioning, relationships, and wellbeing. She recognises that trauma can manifest in many different ways and is sensitive to the ways it may appear in the therapeutic relationship. Jessica creates a safe, predictable, and empowering therapeutic environment where clients can process difficult experiences at their own pace, with careful attention to emotional safety and the development of coping resources.
What Jessica Can Help With
Jessica has experience supporting clients with a wide range of presenting difficulties, including:
Anxiety and Stress: Managing worry, panic, overthinking, and the physical symptoms of anxiety
Depression and Low Mood: Working through feelings of hopelessness, lack of motivation, and emotional numbness
Trauma and Abuse: Processing past traumatic experiences, including childhood abuse, neglect, and complex trauma
Childhood Neglect: Understanding and healing from early experiences of emotional or physical neglect
Self-esteem and Self-worth: Building confidence, challenging negative self-beliefs, and developing self-compassion
Relationship Challenges: Exploring difficulties in personal, family, romantic, or professional relationships
Life Transitions: Navigating major life changes, uncertainty, and identity shifts
Grief and Loss: Processing bereavement, separation, and other significant losses
Identity Issues: Exploring questions of identity, belonging, and personal values
Work-related Stress: Managing workplace pressures, burnout, and career-related difficulties
Professional Experience and Background
Jessica brings a unique combination of therapeutic training and significant experience working in complex, high-pressure healthcare environments. Her hospital-based experience has deepened her understanding of the challenges people face in the most demanding situations and the importance of appropriate well-being.
Prior to her NHS role, Jessica gained valuable experience at Sirona and the British Red Cross, where she developed skills in supporting vulnerable individuals, managing sensitive conversations, and working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams. This background has equipped her with strong interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and circumstances.
Jessica’s personal journey has given her an insider’s perspective on what makes therapy truly helpful. She understands the courage it takes to seek support, the importance of finding the right therapeutic fit, and the profound difference that a compassionate, attuned therapist can make in someone’s life.
Personal Qualities and Values
Jessica is warm, compassionate, and approachable. She brings authenticity and genuine care to her therapeutic relationships, creating an atmosphere where clients feel comfortable being themselves. Her extensive personal experience of therapy has cultivated a deep respect for the vulnerability and courage involved in seeking support, and she honours this in every interaction.
Jessica is highly reflective in her practice and receives regular clinical supervision to ensure she maintains the highest standards of ethical practice and continues to develop her skills. She is committed to creating an inclusive therapeutic space that welcomes people from all backgrounds, identities, and life experiences.
More Info
Location: Kingswood
- Bristol city centre (10 minutes by car)
- Soundwell (3 minutes by car)
- Two Mile Hill, St George (3 minutes by car)
- Staple Hill (5 minutes by car)
- Hanham (5 minutes by car)
- St George, Church Road area (5 minutes by car)
- Warmley (6 minutes by car)
- Downend (8 minutes by car)
- Mangotsfield (8 minutes by car)
- Longwell Green (8 minutes by car)
- Oldland Common (10 minutes by car)
- Online nationwide
Types of Sessions
- In-Person
- Zoom
- Phone
Languages
- English
Availability
- Daytime: Thursday
- Evening: Wednesday
Professional Membership
- British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapists (BACP)
Therapeutic Approach & Training
- Diploma in Integrative Counselling (L5)
Additional Training:
- Child Psychology (CPD Diploma – Alison, 2025)
- Autism in a Counselling Setting (CPD – Heart to Heart, 2024)
- Children and Young People Certificate Training (Awaiting completion, May 2026)
- Trauma-Informed Practice (25 hours – Open University, ongoing)
- Mental Health First Aid
- Dementia Awareness Training
- Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Training
- Unconscious Bias and Cultural Competency
Areas of Counselling Offered
- Anxiety and Depression, including panic, social anxiety, and low mood
- Life Transitions and Significant Changes
- Relationship Issues and Interpersonal Challenges
- Trauma using trauma-informed approaches
- Bereavement and Grief supporting clients through loss
- Self-esteem and Confidence concerns
- Stress Management and overwhelm
- Identity Exploration, including racial identity and intersectionality
- Personal Growth and Self-Discovery
- Issues affecting older adults with sensitivity to generational experiences
- Women’s Issues and gender-related concerns
- Listing ID: 1221
- Type of Support: CBT Counselling, Counselling
- Types of Counselling: Young People (12 - 18), Adults (18+)
- Type of Session: In Person, Online (Via Zoom & Skype), Phone
- Availability: Daytime, Evening