Jay McCarthy
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This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
About me
If you're depressed, burnt out, or feeling overwhelmed, I offer a space to bring all of that - openly - without judgement. The world can feel pretty scary right now, and lots of us are struggling to figure out how to make meaning and find joy while everything around us is so messy. Therapy is a chance to pause, let someone share the load for a while, and not have to put on a brave face. Bring what you're going through and I'll be here alongside you: steady and reliable in a turbulent time.
I am experienced in counselling LGBTQ+, neurodivergent (inc. autistic, BPD & ADHD) and chronically ill clients. I take a person-centred approach, not seeing you as broken or in need of fixing, but rather supporting you to make sense of what you're going through, and helping you figure out a way forward that really works for you.
I offer weekly or fortnightly therapy online using Zoom. Sessions can take place through live chat, voice call or video call: whichever feels most comfortable that day. You can have a regular slot for consistency or we can book in on a session-by-session basis. Choose between 30m and 1h sessions. I work Monday - Friday, 9:30am - 4pm. Sliding scale fees - no 'eligibility' criteria.
Sessions are a space for you to bring whatever feels most important to talk through in that moment. Some clients want to explore past experiences, some focus on current struggles. I empower you to direct our focus and go at your own pace, so you only ever open up in a way that feels safe.
I take a person-centred approach. The foundation of this is the belief that difference and distress are not signs of a disorder. I believe that unconditional care is contagious... through others accepting us we can start to love ourselves more deeply too. And when someone takes the time to really get to know us, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves.
I primarily work with neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ clients. I am kink aware, sex worker allied and poly affirming. I worked as a trauma therapist for a charity supporting survivors of rape and sexual abuse before starting my private practice. I am passionate about improving accessibility for chronically ill and disabled clients, and the flexibility in my approach is borne from my lived experience of having fluctuating 'spoons'.
I have 9 years experience as a counsellor. I hold an MA in Person-Centred Psychotherapy and Counselling from the University of Nottingham. I am an accredited member of the NCPS. I have completed ongoing training in many areas, including grief, working with DID/plurality, and DBT skills.
Training, qualifications & experience
I began working as a psychotherapist in 2017, originally training with RoSA, an organisation who provide counselling for survivors of rape and sexual abuse.
From 2021 to 2023, I worked at the Human Flourishing Project, providing free counselling to residents of Nottingham. In 2022, I spent the summer delivering Brief Solution Focussed Therapy for Trentside Medical Group, counselling patients within a GP surgery. I opened my private practice in Spring 2024.
I gained my Masters Degree in Person-Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy from the University of Nottingham in 2023. I had previously achieved a first class degree in Psychology at Coventry University. Past roles include as a youth worker, care assistant and personal assistant to adults with learning disabilities.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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
My passion is working with diversity - I enjoy working with anyone who has ever felt different or been marginalised for who they are. I am experienced in working with neurodiversity (ADHD, autism, BPD), gender diversity, relationship diversity (including polyam) and sexuality diversity (including kink and sex work). I am familiar with supporting clients with learning disabilities and chronic illnesses. I strive to work in ways that make counselling accessible for those who too often face closed doors.
Therapies offered
Fees
£45.00 - £70.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I charge a sliding scale of £45-70 per hour-long session. I invite you to pay what is affordable to you within this range - I'll never ask for justification or 'proof' of eligibility.
When I work
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