About me
Hello I’m Jessica.
I’m a warm and experienced psychotherapist & counsellor working in Petworth, West Sussex and online. I can offer a confidential and safe space for you to explore what is on your mind, what may be holding you back or distressing you. Together, we will work to make a positive difference. My way of working with people is integrative which means I draw on a range of approaches to therapy/counselling to suit the individual and whatever their needs might be.
Some people come to therapy with a particular issue they want to explore, and others come because they feel anxious or unhappy without knowing why. Either way we will work together to find a way forward and work out what is behind those feelings.
I have experience of working with a wide variety of issues including depression, anxiety, childhood trauma, self-esteem issues, panic disorder and family and relationship issues. Our early relationships are particularly important when dealing with current issues, as they shape who we are and how we experience the world now. Many of my clients have suffered with PTSD and CPTSD - I understand how trauma is stored in the body and nervous system, which enables me to help them. I also work with neurodivergent clients and have completed specialist training in this area.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am qualified with an MA in Psychotherapy and Counselling from Regents University in London. I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and am committed to regular continuing professional development.
Here are some testimonials from previous clients:
"I had 6 counselling sessions with Jessica and right from the out set she made me feel very much at ease. She was so easy to talk to and she helped me a lot. If ever I need more counselling, I would always go back to her" Linda from West Sussex.
"Thank you Jessica for helping me over the last three years. You have helped me to help myself, I will never forget that. I couldn't be more appreciative". Rachael, West Sussex
"Jessica gave me a safe environment in which I could build a healthy, capable adult self, at a time when I didn't really have that in my life. I regularly tell people personally and professionally that I would not be where I am today without her help, and it's completely true. Jessica exemplifies being non-judgemental, open-minded and warm - lifelines for insecure, anxious folks such as I was. I would recommend her as a counsellor to anyone." Anonymous
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
Fees
Additional information
I am open to a discussion about fees and can offer concessions if needed.
Further information
There is a Japanese concept called Kintsugi, which means ‘repairing with gold’. It celebrates and embraces an object’s breaks and imperfections, and the idea that something broken can be made not only whole, but more beautiful and stronger than before. Similarly, therapy can help people to see their past experiences, including all of their trauma and setbacks, as opportunities for growth. With support, we too can become stronger and more beautiful after hardship.
