About me
Reaching out for counselling can feel like a big step. Perhaps you're feeling anxious, overwhelmed, stuck, lost, or carrying something that's become difficult to manage alone. You may be struggling with anxiety, low self-esteem, bereavement, school-related difficulties, family issues, relationship challenges, emotional overwhelm, or the lasting impact of difficult experiences.
Whatever brings you here, you don't have to face it on your own.
I am a warm, approachable and down-to-earth counsellor working with adults, children and young people in Waterlooville, Havant and the surrounding areas. I provide a safe, supportive and confidential space where you can talk openly without fear of judgement, feel truly heard, and begin to make sense of what is happening in your life.
I believe that every person is unique and has the capacity for growth and change, even during life's most difficult moments. Sometimes we can become stuck, overwhelmed by anxiety, stress, loss, low confidence or emotional difficulties. At other times, it may feel hard to talk to those closest to us. Counselling offers a space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings openly and at your own pace.
My approach is humanistic and person-centred, meaning that our work together is built on empathy, trust, respect and genuine human connection. Developing a safe therapeutic relationship is at the heart of what I do, as I believe this creates the foundation for meaningful and lasting change.
Children and Young People
I have extensive experience supporting children and young people with a wide range of emotional and behavioural difficulties, including anxiety, school anxiety, low self-esteem, friendship difficulties, bereavement, emotional regulation, attachment difficulties and challenges linked to family changes. In addition I have extensive experience of working with 'looked after children', those in foster care or in residential homes.
Alongside private practice, I have worked as a young person's counsellor and school counsellor, supporting children from primary age through to adolescence. I have more than 18 years of experience working within education and continue to work closely with schools, SENCOs, social workers, educational psychologists and other professionals supporting children and families.
Many children and young people find it easier to express themselves through creative activities rather than talking alone. I therefore incorporate a range of creative resources where appropriate, including art materials, sand tray work, storytelling, play, writing, music and other expressive approaches. These can help children explore difficult emotions in ways that feel safe and natural to them.
As a counsellor, I am a member of the BACP (British Association of Counsellors & Psychotherapists) and abide by their ethical framework. I also have regular supervision, a requirement of the BACP, my professional body.
Areas I can help with
I work with clients experiencing:
- Anxiety and worry
- Social anxiety
- Childhood anxiety
- School anxiety and school avoidance
- Low self-esteem and confidence
- Bereavement and loss
- Depression and low mood
- Stress and emotional overwhelm
- Attachment difficulties
- Family and relationship difficulties
- Bullying
- Friendship issues
- Relationship issues
- Panic attacks
- Self-harm
- Suicidal thoughts
- Emotional regulation difficulties
- Neurodiversity-related challenges
- Life transitions and change
- Young people's mental health
What counselling can offer
Counselling provides a safe and supportive space to:
Explore difficult thoughts and feelings
Better understand yourself and your experiences
Build confidence and self-esteem
Develop healthier coping strategies
Process loss, change or difficult life events
Improve emotional wellbeing
Strengthen resilience and self-awareness
There is no expectation to share everything immediately. We work together at a pace that feels comfortable for you, building trust and understanding as the therapeutic relationship develops.
About my practice
I offer counselling for adults, children and young people from my dedicated therapy space in Waterlooville. The room is private, comfortable, ground-floor accessible and has free parking.
I also offer a free initial telephone consultation, giving us the opportunity to discuss what is bringing you to counselling and whether I am the right therapist for your needs.
In addition, I have experience of working online via secure video platforms and am insured to work both in the UK and overseas (with the exception of Canada & the USA). Working online can work particularly well for those travelling or living abroad.
I know that choosing a counsellor can feel daunting. My aim is to provide a warm, welcoming and supportive environment where you can feel safe to be yourself and begin moving towards the changes you would like to make in your life.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications and Training:
- BA (Hons) Humanistic Counselling First Class (including Expressive Arts Therapy) – University of Chichester - 2020
- PQ Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People – Iron Mill College Counselling Training - 2022
- Diploma in Humanistic Counselling – University of Chichester - 2018
- Certificate in Counselling Skills – University of Chichester – 2016
On-going Training and CPD
- Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People's Mental Health
- TQUK level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism
- Safeguarding in schools training – renewed annually.
- Prevent Safeguarding Training – renewed annually
- Mental Health Champion Place2Be Training
- Walk & Talk Counselling (endorsed by cpcab)
- Supporting Young People with Eating Disorders (Creative Education)
- Spot and Support Attachment Disorder (Creative Education)
- Working with Young People (Redlands Counselling Training)
- Talking about Self-Harm (Creative Education)
- Bereavement Training Course, (The Bereavement Counselling Charity)
- Schools First Aid Training – 2023 (renewed every 3 years)
- Hidden Sentence Training – Action for Prisoners’ Families
- FEIPS (Pastoral Support) Training with Hampshire Educational Psychologists (EP) Service
- ELSA Training – Emotional Literacy Support Assistants Training with Hampshire EP Service
- Therapeutic Story writing – Hampshire Educational Psychology Services
- NVQ 3 Children’s Care, Learning & Development – Havant & South Downs College
- NVQ 2 Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools - Havant & South Downs College
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
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£60.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
My fees are £60.00 for a 50 minute session, payment by cash or bank transfer.
I offer a free initial 20‑minute telephone consultation. This gives us the chance to discuss what brings you to counselling and whether I am the right therapist for your needs.
Discounted sessions may be available during school hours (9am–3pm).
Email me on counselling@jackiethomas.co.uk or phone 07878 306567
If the sessions are for a child / young person, parental consent will be needed before sessions can begin. I suggest at least six sessions to establish a meaningful relationship with a child / young person.
Cancellation policy: 24 hour notice is required for a cancellation or full charge will apply.
When I work
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Further information
Location
I run my private practice from home in Waterlooville where I have a spacious dedicated therapy room for adults, young people and children. It is ground floor accessible and has free parking.
