Jane Penston

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Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

London, SE24
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

I began my journey into counselling when at the age of 18 I realised I needed to find someone who would listen to me. I believe that having counselling at this stage of my life saved me.

I believe that if you find the right counsellor for you, the counselling experience can be life changing.
Once we have met and had our initial assessment session, and have decided we want to work together, we can move towards finding the areas of your life where you might feel stuck, alone, confused. I will offer you tools to help you understand you, your life, and your place within it, to look at it differently, to notice any habitual negative patterns of behaviour and perhaps learn new ways to manage them.

I work from a Humanistic perspective, specifically 'Person-Centred', an approach developed by Carl Rogers who believed that the best way to help someone in distress or discomfort was to be warm, genuine and understanding. Within this approach I often offer that my clients connect to their breathing, also using some body-awareness, visualisations and any other supportive techniques that feel appropriate for their growth and understanding, this could also be through art or movement. These techniques can often really help when you might feel stuck with an issue and can't move forward by simply talking about it.
I have a long background in Buddhism and Meditation, having experienced many retreats both within a community of Buddhists, but also extended periods of solitary meditation. The way I work is very much influenced by this, if it feels appropriate I may offer something of this to you in our work together.

Issues such as depression, relationship difficulties, anxiety, sleeplessness, menopause, over/under eating, bereavement can benefit hugely from having the opportunity to hear your feelings about them expressed out loud in a non-judgemental, confidential space.

Training, qualifications & experience

I have a Diploma in Person-Centred (Humanistic) Counselling (2003) and
I am a  qualified Reiki Practitioner, using the Usui method of Natural Healing (level 2)

I have many years of extensive training and practice in Western Buddhism & Meditation. (I brought Buddhist Meditation to the Healing Fields at Glastonbury Festival in 1994, where it still flourishes today).

I previously worked in the media where I was a Graphic Designer and Editor on magazines, and later worked as a Communications Officer/Designer for a Trade Union.
Currently I am also involved in the music industry.

I hold a Diploma in Holistic Massage and a Diploma in Graphic Illustration.

I have training, understanding and experience of other therapies including, Equine Therapy (using horses in the therapeutic relationship), Mindfulness Meditation & techniques, Systemic Family Therapy.

I have worked with Couples, in Family Counselling, in a Boys Secondary School, and for Brook Pregnancy Advisory Service.

I have been in Private Practice since 2003.

I have been a Yoga practitioner for 30 years.

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred).

Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision.

Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training.

All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.

Accredited register membership

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Fees

£55.00 per session
Free initial telephone session

Concessions offered for

  • Low income
  • Students
  • Trainee counsellors
  • Unemployed

Additional information

Individuals £55 Daytime 8am-5pm
£60 6pm-8pm
Some Concessions available

When I work

From now on I will be working with clients online using 'Facetime' and on the telephone.

Type of session

Online
Phone

Types of client

Young people (13-17)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)

Key details

Wheelchair user access
Wheelchair user access

Wheelchair-accessible premises should have step-free access for wheelchair users and individuals who are unable to climb stairs. If a Counsellor's premises aren't step-free, they may offer alternative services such as telephone/web-based appointments, home visits, or meeting clients in different location, so you can choose the option that suits you best.

You can contact the Counsellor to discuss the options available.

Under the Equality Act 2010 service providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access their service. You can read more about reasonable adjustments to help you to access services on the CAB website.

Jane Penston
Jane Penston