Jessica Lawrence

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Counselling & Psychotherapy EMDR/Trauma & IFS BACP (Accred)

About me

Counselling, Psychotherapy & EMDR/Trauma/IFS Therapist

As an experienced therapist I aim to help you regain a sense of meaning and purpose in your life, and with those around you. I am a qualified EMDR trauma specialist and trained Internal Family Systems (IFS Institute UK) therapist, integrating these evidence-based approaches into my work where helpful.

I frequently help clients with challenges related to depression, anxiety, and self-esteem, specialising in trauma of all kinds, from seemingly straightforward experiences to the most complex cases. Often clients express a fear that what they have been through 'is no big deal' and are embarrassed to share their stories - when in fact they have experienced traumatic events that they have minimised as a means of keeping going.

EMDR is increasingly popular & supported by research as an effective approach for processing traumatic events including PTSD. Studies show it can reduce distress, improve emotional balance, and even create measurable changes in brain activity.

Through Internal Family Systems on the other hand, we explore your inner landscape; parts such as the people-pleaser, perfectionist, or inner critic. Together, we’ll uncover the roles they play, shift limiting patterns and beliefs, and heal unresolved trauma. This process helps you reconnect with early parts and bring compassion to those tender and vulnerable experiences that may be holding guilt and shame.

Clients may present with a range of symptoms, including anxiety, avoidant behaviour, intrusive thoughts, and panic attacks. I work with various types of trauma, including single-event trauma, attachment-based trauma, sexual abuse, loss, and complex grief. I invite clients to explore and understand their histories, helping them reconnect with their authentic and creative selves.
 
My therapeutic approach is relational and existential. I utilise the counselling relationship itself to help you gain insight into your world and facilitate the changes you wish to achieve. I offer a space where you can feel listened to, understood, and accepted in a non-judgmental environment. I am passionate about the therapeutic process and the empowering experience it can provide.

The Benefits of EMDR and IFS in Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful, evidence-based approach that helps the brain process and resolve traumatic or distressing memories. It is particularly effective for PTSD, anxiety, phobias, and other trauma-related symptoms. EMDR allows the mind to "reprocess" painful experiences in a way that reduces emotional intensity and helps the memory lose its charge — so that it no longer feels overwhelming, intrusive, or defining. Many clients report significant relief, emotional clarity, and a greater sense of calm and resilience after EMDR sessions.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy offers a compassionate and non-pathologising way to explore your inner world. It’s based on the idea that we all have different “parts” — some that carry pain or trauma, and others that try to protect us from that pain. IFS helps you connect with your core Self — the calm, curious, and confident part of you — so that you can understand and heal wounded or protective parts without judgment. This approach can be particularly helpful for deep-rooted emotional patterns, inner conflict, self-criticism, and trauma.

When combined, EMDR and IFS offer a deeply integrative and healing approach. EMDR helps shift the emotional weight of past experiences, while IFS supports understanding and healing the internal parts of you that may have been shaped by those experiences. Together, they can promote profound emotional relief, greater self-awareness, and lasting personal growth.


 

Training, qualifications & experience

I hold a Master’s degree in Counselling & Psychotherapy Practice, alongside Postgraduate Diplomas in Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy and Counselling Children and Young People.

Masters Counselling & Psychotherapy Practice (Distinction)                                        Dissertation Title: A heuristic inquiry into attachment informed shame within the therapeutic encounter.

I am  an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and a registered member of the EMDR Association UK, I am also a trained EMDR therapist with specialised expertise in trauma therapy.

My experience includes working within the NHS across Primary and Secondary Care settings, mental health organisations, and private practice. Additionally, I am a trained Clinical Supervisor and have provided professional support and guidance to therapists and mental health practitioners within the Health Board.

In addition to EMDR therapy, I have completed extensive training in trauma-focused approaches, including CBT for Trauma and Babette Rothschild’s Somatic Trauma Therapy. My practice is further enriched by training in Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Transactional Analysis (TA), enabling me to offer a wide range of therapeutic techniques tailored to individual needs.

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

£75.00 per session

Concessions offered for

  • check_circle Trainee counsellors

Health Insurance/EAP

  • check_circle Axa Health
  • check_circle Vitality
  • check_circle WPA
  • check_circle Aviva
  • check_circle Allianz

Additional information

Counselling/Psychotherapy/EMDR/IFS - £75                                                          

Standard sessions are 50 minutes on a weekly or fortnightly basis.               Longer sessions of 75 minutes are available by request.

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

I can offer online video sessions when required. Daytime and evening sessions are also available.

Further information

Please get in touch with any questions you have either by email or on my mobile: 07971 681477.

Accredited Member of BACP.

Up to date DBS certificate.

Mackintosh House, 136 Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 1DJ

Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
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

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.

Online platforms

Microsoft Teams
Zoom
Whatsapp