Jessica Hughes

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she/her
Child counsellor MBACP
Waiting list for new clients
Waiting list for new clients

This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.

location_on Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5
Waiting list for new clients
Waiting list for new clients

This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.

About me

I can offer counselling to children aged between 4 and 17 years, who are struggling with their mental health, need support with cope with life events and/or want to gain self confidence. I aim to offer your child a welcoming and safe space to be themselves and express how they are feeling in a way that is accessible to them as an individual.

As an Integrative therapist, I am informed by traditional theoretical perspectives as well as contemporary evidence based research. I use creativity to enable relationship-building and communication. For younger children, play therapy using puppets, objects, games, art materials and stories can all be effective in helping a child speak about what is troubling them.

For older children and teenagers, Image, metaphor and sensory tactile creativity such as clay can help them find the words to express and make sense of their experiences. In addition to the therapy room, sessions can take place in nature at a suitable outdoors location. For example a nearby nature reserve or woodland area. 

Training, qualifications & experience

I have fifteen years experience of working therapeutically with children and teenagers, as a registered mental health nurse working for the NHS in child and adolescent mental health services and in more recent years as a school counsellor. 

  • 2024- Level 3 Paediatric first aid course (Daisy First Aid) 
  • 2024 - Nature allied psychotherapy- 3 day continuous professional development training (Nature Therapy School) 
  • 2021 - Children’s Accelerated Trauma Technique (Trauma Psychology Training) 
  • 2021- Diploma in child psychotherapeutic counselling (The Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education) 
  • 2020 - Diploma in child counselling (The Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education) 
  • 2015/2016 - volunteer counsellor with place2be 4 terms in a primary school 
  • 2014- Intermediate child counselling skills (level 3 certificate) place2be 
  • 2013- Introduction to child counselling skills (Level 2 award) place2be
  • 1997- Diploma in Nursing (Mental Health ) 
  • 1994 Registered General Nursing (Certificate) 

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

Therapies offered

Fees

£50.00 per session

Additional information

The initial parent consultation is £60 for up to an hour and a half. Brief initial enquiry telephone conversations are free of charge . 

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

My working hours aim to minimise or avoid absences from school for children and teenagers . Parent consultations &  initial enquiry phone-calls are arranged at mutually convenient times . 

Further information

Parent consultation and review is an important part of the service I offer. This does not compromise the child’s privacy. The Intention is to support parents for the benefit of their child or teenager. For young children or nervous adolescents at least one parent accompanied counselling session is advised . 

I am registered with the DBS update service and a member of the BACP. My continuing professional development includes regular clinical supervision, safeguarding and child protection updates.

Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5

Type of session

In person

Types of client

Children (0-12)
Young people (13-17)

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

Wheelchair user access info
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.

My therapy room is on the ground floor