About me
Welcome — I’m Jill, a qualified psychotherapeutic counsellor offering therapy from a peaceful, private setting in Bank Newton, just outside Skipton in North Yorkshire. I offer face-to-face counselling, walk and talk therapy, home visits across surrounding areas including Gargrave, Embsay, Settle, and Ilkley, alongside online and telephone sessions nationwide.
Why Come to Counselling?
Many people come to therapy after spending a long time trying to cope on their own. You may be used to carrying a lot internally while continuing to manage day to day or appear “fine” from the outside. Over time, this can become emotionally exhausting, leaving you feeling overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected from yourself, or unable to switch off from constant thoughts and worries.
These feelings can develop for many different reasons. For some people, there is a clear trigger such as anxiety, stress, low mood, relationship difficulties, bereavement, burnout, significant life changes, or the emotional impact of caring for others. For others, it may simply feel as though life has become harder to manage, leaving them overthinking, emotionally drained, or unsure why things no longer feel quite right.
Whatever has brought you here, counselling can offer time and space to explore your thoughts, feelings, relationships, and experiences in a way that feels supportive and meaningful to you.
Who I work with
I work with adults of all ages and backgrounds, recognising that everyone’s experiences and reasons for coming to counselling are different. I also welcome people living with visible or invisible disabilities, including physical, sensory, and neurodivergent differences.
How I work
Sometimes it can feel difficult to find a place where you can simply be yourself without feeling judged, rushed, or expected to have all the answers. My aim is to offer a calm space where you can talk openly and begin to untangle whatever may be weighing on you.
Everyone experiences life differently, so I shape the sessions around you rather than following one fixed approach. I draw from person-centred, psychodynamic, and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), allowing space for both deeper exploration and more practical support when needed.
Starting counselling can feel unfamiliar at first, especially if you are used to managing things on your own. Sessions move at a pace that feels comfortable for you, with space to reflect, develop understanding, and explore different ways of responding to difficulties. Some people come wanting deeper exploration, while others prefer more practical support, and we can work in a way that feels most helpful for you.
Getting Started
1. Get in Touch
You are welcome to contact me via email or mobile using a text, WhatsApp, or voice message. Please include your name, how you would prefer to be contacted, and a suitable time for me to contact you for a free 15-minute phone or Zoom conversation.
2. Free 15-Minute Initial Conversation
This free 15-minute conversation is a relaxed opportunity for you to briefly share what has brought you to counselling, ask any questions, and get a sense of how I work.
3. Initial Consultation
If we decide to continue, we will arrange a 60-minute initial consultation to explore things in more depth and think together about what support may be helpful for you.
4. Ongoing Sessions
Sessions are usually held weekly and move at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
Training, qualifications & experience
Background and Qualifications
My background is in psychology. I hold a BSc in Applied Psychology and a PhD in Psychology, where I researched the experience of anger in the workplace. This has given me a deeper understanding of how emotions are experienced, managed, and sometimes held in, particularly those that can feel difficult to express.
I hold a Professional Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling Practice and a Diploma in Hypnotherapy. I have also completed additional training in Online and Telephone Counselling. I continue to undertake continuing professional development (CPD) across a range of areas to support my work.
Experience
Alongside my private practice, I currently volunteer with SELFA, supporting children and young people as a support worker. I also have experience working in a school setting, supporting children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. This has deepened my understanding of how early experiences can stay with us and shape how we feel later in life.
Professional Memberships
I am a registered member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) and work in line with their ethical framework.
Additional Information
I attend regular supervision and I am registered with the ICO for data protection. I am fully insured and hold both a basic and enhanced DBS certificate.
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
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Fees & Availability
Standard counselling session
£50 — 60 minutes
Available as face-to-face and walk and talk sessions, online and telephone sessions.
Extended sessions
£75 — 90 minutes
These longer sessions can allow more time to settle into the conversation, reflect more deeply, and explore things without feeling rushed.
Home Visit
£65 within the local area and £75 within the surrounding areas.
Feel free to contact me to discuss location availability.
I offer a limited number of reduced-fee spaces:
I offer a 25% reduction on all counselling fees for students and those experiencing financial difficulty.
These are subject to availability.
Availability
I offer flexible appointment times, including early morning, daytime, evening, and weekend sessions.
Further information
Ways We Can Work Together
I offer a flexible way of working, including face-to-face sessions, walk and talk therapy, home visits, online and telephone sessions. Some people prefer one approach, while others find it helpful to move between them depending on how they’re feeling.
Walk and Talk Therapy
Walking side-by-side, rather than sitting face-to-face, can feel easier for some. Being outdoors can create a bit more space to think and talk, without the intensity that can sometimes come with sitting in a room. I also offer the option of slightly longer walk and talk sessions, allowing more time to settle into the conversation without feeling rushed. Walking routes can be discussed and agreed beforehand, helping sessions feel comfortable, manageable, and suited to your needs.
Face to Face Sessions
At other times, having a quiet, contained space indoors can feel more supportive - somewhere you can pause, reflect, and have time that is just for you. I work from a peaceful, private setting just outside Skipton.
Online Sessions and Telephone Sessions
Online and telephone sessions offer a different kind of flexibility, particularly if leaving the house is difficult or if you need counselling that fits around work, family life, or other commitments.
Home Visits
I understand that attending therapy outside the home can sometimes feel overwhelming or inaccessible. Alongside online, telephone and in-person sessions, I may also be able to offer home visits in certain circumstances for clients who are unable to travel due to anxiety, health concerns, disabilities, mobility difficulties, caring responsibilities or other accessibility needs.
The Practice Space
My private practice in Bank Newton offers a comfortable and confidential space where you can feel at ease. The setting includes free private parking, private bathroom facilities, and step-free access into the property. Refreshments are available during your visit, and I aim to provide a calm, welcoming environment where you have the privacy and space to talk openly.
