Jacqueline Higgs

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BSc.Hons, Adv. Dip. Hum. Co., Dip. Supervision, MBACP
Accepting new clients
Accepting new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

location_on Maidstone, Kent, ME15
Accepting new clients
Accepting new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Life is challenging. Often its difficult to see a way forward. Sometimes you find yourself repeating the same old patterns, wondering how you got to this point again. You may have a feeling that something's not quite 'right' or that you 'should' be happy, but don't understand why you're not. This is where counselling can help; it can help you to understand the choices you have made, move you in a more positive direction and lead you to a more fulfilling life.

Counselling can also help you to make those difficult decisions that seem to prevent you from moving on in life; help you to see that there are other choices and that you can 'survive' the 'next step'. Sometimes, just having the space to talk to an impartial and complete stranger about the worries you're experiencing is enough to start things moving in the direction of your choosing.

I am an experienced Humanistic counsellor  and in my private practice will provide a safe, quiet and confidential space for you to look at what's going on in your life. I understand that coming to see a relative stranger to talk about difficult and often painful concerns is not an easy thing to do. But I do believe that the relationship between client and counsellor is an important part of counselling, and establishing a relationship with you that is warm, empathic and non-judgemental will help you to explore those concerns. I also understand that not everyone is the same and what works for one person may not work for another, so I use an integrative approach, incorporating Gestalt, Person-Centred therapy, Transactional Analysis and Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT). For a more comprehensive list of issues that I work with, please see below.

I believe that everybody has the potential to change, given the right conditions.


Counselling Experience

I worked at The Heart of Kent Hospice as a bereavement counsellor for two years, helping relatives and friends come to terms with their loss.
At Counselling Plus Community, a charity organisation providing counselling to those on benefits or low-income, I worked for four years with referrals from the NHS; adults who presented with a wide range of issues including abuse (sexual, physical, mental), depression, phobias, trauma, self-esteem/low confidence, terminations, bereavement and loss, self harm, relationship issues, sexuality issues, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I then became the Deputy Manager for this charity for 4 years running various projects (which included the provision of counselling for victims or rape, provision of support for those feeling suicidal, running anger management groups). I now work for the charity as a Clinical Lead and supervisor.
Since 2007 I have also worked as a family therapist, working with young people and their families as well as working for CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) within Kent. I am currently employed by Special schools in Kent as a school counsellor working with young people with issues such as autism, ADHD etc.
I have also run a private practice for the last 18 years working with adults, young people, families and couples presenting with wide ranging issues.

Training, qualifications & experience

  • BSc Hons. Life Sciences.
  • Advanced Diploma in Humanistic Counselling (Adv.Dip.Hum. Couns.), which is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
  • Diploma in Person Centred Supervision - Metanoia Institute.
  • Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People.
  • Introductory course to Psychodynamic Therapy.
  • Certificates in counselling skills and practice.
  • Certificate in Filial Play Coaching

    I am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) and as such, I am bound by its ethical framework for good practice in counselling & psychotherapy.


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

Areas of counselling I deal with

Fees

£40.00 - £65.00

Concessions offered for

  • check_circle Low income
  • check_circle OAPs
  • check_circle Students
  • check_circle Trainee counsellors

Additional information


One-to-one, individual counselling will be charged at £45 per session, payable on the day.

One to one clinical supervision will be charged at £55 per hour, payable on the day.

Couples counselling will be charged at £65 per hour, payable on the day.

Sliding scales available for trainees counsellors/supervisors

When I work

Depending on availability, I can provide both daytime and/or evening sessions.

Further information

How Does it Work?

Once you have made the initial contact, I will respond to you the same day - due to the nature of the work, I may be counselling/supervising and unable to speak to you directly at that time. I will ask you some brief questions regarding the nature of your issues and you will have the opportunity to ask anything you're unsure about.

We will then arrange an appointment when we can meet.

The initial session takes the form of an assessment in which we discuss whether we can work usefully together. If this is not possible, we can discuss other options to help you find the support you need.

The subsequent sessions usually takes place at a mutually agreed time at the same time each week.

I offer long-term, open-ended counselling, which allows a greater exploration of your issues at greater depth. Or, short-term, solution focused counselling is available.

I offer both daytime and evening sessions, subject to availability.

Hunton, Maidstone, Kent, ME15

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Children (0-12)
Young people (13-17)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Couples
Families
Groups
Organisations
Employee Assistance Programme

Key details

DBS check info

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

Online platforms

Zoom

Supervision

In person
Online
Phone

I am a Person-centred trained supervisor offering online, face to face or telephone supervision. Fees are £55 an hour. Concessions for students.

View supervision profile

Jacqueline Higgs
Jacqueline Higgs