Tamara Jennings
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
HOW COUNSELLING CAN HELP
Hi, my name is Tamara.
My own personal experiences led me to a firmly held belief that humans need empathy, warmth and non-judgemental acceptance in order to grow, develop courage to be true to themselves and thrive. In a world where people are continuously judged and expected to ‘fit’ into many different roles, sadly, such unconditional acceptance is hard to find...
My aim is to create a ‘safe place’ which will allow you to freely express your feelings, emotions, thoughts and fantasies and to reflect on and explore your ‘world’. I believe strongly that we are the ‘experts’ on ourselves and are capable of finding answers to dilemmas and difficulties we encounter in life. Thus, a client’s autonomy and ‘agenda’ is paramount to the process of counselling. I see my part as a co-creator of the shared therapy space between us, as someone who will gently encourage your curiosity to learn more about yourself, others and your relationships. I will support you in your quest for greater understanding of your Self and finding ways to resolve difficult feelings and painful experiences you may have been carrying. My ultimate aim is to help you become empowered to make desired changes and move towards a more satisfying and fulfilling life.
ABOUT MY PRACTICE
I am a registered counsellor with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and offer both, short and long term counselling to individual clients.
Following your initial phone or email enquiry, I will invite you to hold an initial phone call, free of charge, to enable us to explore what your current needs are and how I can be useful in meeting them. If we decide to go ahead, we will agree a convenient time for an initial 1 hour session. This session will enable you to ask questions, to experience what counselling and working with me may be like and is an opportunity for both of us to decide if we can and want to work together.
As an Integrative person-centred counsellor, I will draw on different theories and techniques to facilitate the process of exploration and change. The choice of approaches I use in our work together will be tailor-made and informed by your specific needs and goals you wish to attain. Some of the different approaches I may use include Psychodynamic theory, which will help you reflect on your childhood experiences and how they may have shaped your sense of the self and how you relate to others; Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), which will encourage you to identify and challenge negative thoughts and self-defeating patterns of thinking and help you develop more effective ways of dealing with challenges in your life. I draw heavily on the principles of the Person-centred approach which enables me to listen and empathise with you in a respectful and non-judgemental way, thus allowing you to identify and freely express your genuine feelings and thoughts.
Numerous research studies show that the most influential factor in the success of the counselling process is the relationship between a client and their therapist. An open, warm and empathic relationship, based on mutual respect and trust, has the powerful potential to bring about long-lasting positive changes. Establishing and nurturing such a deep, meaningful relationship between us will be my utmost aim at all times.
As a BACP registered counsellor, I adhere to the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions, have a regular supervision and undertake continuing professional development in order to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of my professional practice.
Please get in touch if you feel that the way I work can support you on your journey of self-discovery, finding answers to your dilemmas and taking steps towards achieving your aims and fulfilling your potential.
Training, qualifications & experience
MY QUALIFICATIONS
- CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Integrative Therapeutic Counselling, CPTA
- Introduction to Counselling (equivalent to CPCAB Level 3), Open University
- CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills, CPTA
- CBT: Key Knowledge and Skills, The Association for Psychological Therapies (APT)
- Diploma in Psychology (Conversion for Postgraduates), Open University
- BA (Hons) Sociology, Tbilisi State University
TRAINING AND CONTINUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD)
Alongside my core training as an Integrative counsellor, I have undertaken various training courses, some of which are listed below:
- Awareness in Bereavement Care (ABC): The Foundation Course, Cruse Bereavement Care
- Working with Children and Young People, Cruse Bereavement Care
- Sudden and Traumatic Death Workshop, Cruse Bereavement Care
- ‘Getting To Grips with Gestalt' and Practical Skills in Gestalt' CPCAB endorsed Training
- 'The Human Toolbox' Overview delivered by MTCIC
- ‘Brief Focussed Therapy Overview, Attachment and Trauma Congress Discussion’ CPD Training, delivered by MTCIC
- ‘Working with Uncertainty - an Existential Perspective’ with Ernesto Spinelli organised by Matrix College
- Mentoring Skills Training, delivered by MIND, the Mental Health Charity
MY CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Over the years, I have volunteered with a variety of organisations and charities which you can see listed below. I believe that each of these experiences enriched my life, enabled me to grow as a person and allowed me discover how rewarding I find working collaboratively and supporting people.
- Cruse Bereavement Care, a National Bereavement Charity, counselling the bereaved clients
- MTCIC Acorn Counselling Service, working with a diverse range of clients and issues such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, stress and relationship difficulties
- Mind, the Mental Health Charity, mentoring clients with a variety of mental health difficulties.
- National Autistic Society (NAS), providing telephone support for the parents/carers of children/adults with autism.
MY PRACTICE VENUE
I practice from a bright, comfortable and homely ground floor counselling room in ST11 area of Stoke-on-Trent. There is ample FREE car parking available directly outside.
MY HOBBIES
In my spare time I love walking, attending theatre shows, listening to various genres of music, such as pop and classical music, designing clothes and jewellery, discovering and exploring new places and cultures (my true passion), doing Sudoku puzzles and reading (the latter can also help me with falling asleep at night!). I also enjoy meeting up with friends over a cup of coffee (and a slice of chocolate cake if I am feeling particularly decadent) and sharing a chat and a hearty laughter that makes me feel nurtured and recharged!
MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS
- Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
- Graduate Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
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
Photos & videos
Fees
£45.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
My fee for 1 hour session is £45.
I offer a free initial phone consultation to explore your needs and how therapy might be helpful.
I am pleased to offer a discount of 10% for a block booking of 6 or more sessions that are paid for in advance.
Concessions are available for students and trainee counsellors - please contact me to enquire.
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | |||||||
| Afternoon | |||||||
| Evening | |||||||
| Night |
My regular working hours are from 9 am to 8 pm Monday to Friday. I also offer Saturday appointments depending on my availability.
Further information
HOW TO CONTACT ME
EMAIL: tjcounselling@btinternet.com or click on 'EMAIL ME' button at the top of this profile
PHONE: 07484 143 067. If I am unable to answer your call, please leave a voice message and I will get back to you as soon as possible. I aim to respond to both, phone and email enquiries within 1 day of receiving them.
TEXT: 07484 143 067. You are welcome to send me a text message and I will endeavour to respond within 1 day of receiving it.
