Clare Jerome
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Whatever the problem or challenges you may have, I offer a non-judgmental space for you to explore, in your own time, who you are without any conditions or expectations placed upon you. I can offer you a safe place to tell your story and most importantly, to be heard.
I offer a mixture of approaches, tailored to each client and want to know how life is experienced by you as an individual. We all need to try and make sense of our reality which can be hard to do on our own. I offer a creative and curious space to do this.
Why have counselling? Who would benefit from it?
Counselling offers a chance of feeling safe and connecting with another. This relationship can help repair some of the wounds caused by our earlier relationships and offer a different experience.
It can take time to feel safe sharing intimate thoughts and feelings which you might not have shared with someone before. This can sometimes bring up feelings of shame or guilt too - and fear around how you will be experienced by me. I aim to create a space where you won't feel judged - whatever it is you choose to share with me.
I can help guide you through a particular problem or a specific situation you might be experiencing. Over longer term therapy you may wish to become more aware of how you relate to yourself and others or explore more deep rooted wounds.
You may have been bereaved, experienced trauma or abuse or feel depressed and anxious. You perhaps are having difficulty in your relationships or are worried about a loved one. You might be struggling with the challenges of being a carer or dealing with having long term health problems yourself....or both. You could be using coping strategies that are no longer helping you anymore and feel stuck. Or you may be struggling with the day to day pressures and just how hard life can sometimes be. Whatever your pain, whatever your fears are...they are welcomed to be shared with me.
What would happen in our first session?
I appreciate there is often some apprehension around starting counselling, especially if you are new to therapy. If after my free phone or Zoom consultation you wish to continue, we would book a time and date for our first session. We would talk about whatever you chose to talk about - the time is yours, but we may discuss a particular thing that is troubling you or that you want to focus on. In that hour, we would recap and discuss the "working agreement" I would have already pre-sent via email beforehand and know that this has the option of being adjusted if needed over our time together. I understand making that first step can be daunting.
Any other questions or worries, please don't hesitate to contact me beforehand.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a registered member of the BACP and qualified with a Level 4 Therapeutic Counselling Diploma. I have also completed a Level 5 Diploma in Counselling Young People (age 11-18) and am experienced in working with adolescents.
I have completed extensive further training in a multitude of areas and have been in various roles which relate to the work I do.
I have co-facilitated courses within the NHS. These have been on subjects such as Understanding Autism and ADHD and I have a lot of experience working with neuro-divergent clients. This is both with young people and adults - especially those who may have had this confirmed later on in life.
I have worked within NHS mental health services and people who have "been through the system". A lot of which have a diagnosis of a "personality disorder" or Complex PTSD for example. I choose to use a trauma informed approach instead, where rather than asking "what's wrong with you?" I prefer to explore, "what's happened to you?" I don't feel people are disordered or need "fixing"....but that the safety of the right therapeutic relationship can be an integral part of the healing process.
I often work with people with chronic physical health problems too and believe in a holistic approach to health overall where the mind and body are viewed together and how they impact each other.
I have also worked closely with the LGBTQ+ community and with Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diverse (GSRD) clients.
Part of my initial training was within the criminal justice system and addiction services.
In addition, I have had roles within children's charities and the voluntary sector supporting people and families throughout pregnancy, early childhood development (in particular those with SEN) and navigating local services and resources to help them.
I now also specialise in working with adolescents and the varying challenges that can occur during this crucial developmental stage. I confidently work with young people who are struggling with self harming behaviours in various forms, suicidal thoughts or those in crisis, bullying and difficult school environments, those who are questioning or exploring their gender or sexual identity, developmental trauma and relational difficulties, amongst various other concerns.
Member organisations
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
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
I also enjoy and have experience working creatively and have a range of play therapy items, art supplies and instruments. I find working non-verbally can be as equally therapeutic and meaningful and aid communication and expression.
Therapies offered
Fees
£55.00 per session
Free initial telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I am currently offering face to face appointments or telephone/online sessions.
My fees are £55 for a full hour (60 minutes) which can either be weekly or fortnightly. I do also offer the option of 90 minute sessions for £75, subject to availability.
I believe that therapy shouldn't be a luxury and should be available to all who need it and hope to make counselling easier for people to access. I am willing to negotiate fees where possible, for those who feel this is still not affordable for them, especially during these difficult financial times.
I also offer a reduced rate for counselling students undertaking their required therapy hours.
I work from a fully accessible room in Farnborough offering face to face appointments.
When I work
Unfortunately, I have very limited sessions available. However please feel free to contact me as this can change frequently.
Further information
I appreciate selecting a therapist can be overwhelming and sometimes hard to know exactly what you're seeking. I'm more than happy to offer a free chat on the phone to see if you would be happy to work with me and answer any questions. The importance of finding the right therapeutic fit is integral to the work.
I will send details and photos of the space beforehand and any information you need or wish to know to help you feel prepared and hopefully ease any initial anxiety.
Even if I'm not the right person for you, please know that there will be someone who you will connect with and hold onto the hope that the right help is there for everyone, even you.
