About me
Hello, I'm Jill
I'm a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor, but before any qualifications or professional titles, I'm a person sitting alongside another person.
I believe that feeling genuinely heard and understood can make an enormous difference, particularly during those times when life hasn't turned out quite as we expected.
My approach is warm, down-to-earth and collaborative. I won't tell you how you should feel or what you should do. Instead, I'll offer you the space to explore what's happening and help you begin to make sense of it in your way.
Experience
My Counselling experience has developed across a range of settings, including private practice, voluntary organisations, higher education, NHS placements and online counselling services.
A significant part of my experience has involved supporting individuals and families affected by acquired brain injury.
That work has given me a particular understanding of how an unexpected event or change in health can affect far more than our physical wellbeing. It can change relationships, independence, confidence, identity and the future we imagined for ourselves.
That understanding informs my wider work with people experiencing loss, health changes, anxiety, low mood, relationship difficulties, changes in identity and significant life transitions.
My Journey into counselling
My route into counselling wasn't a straight one.
I originally studied Law with Business Administration and began my career working within the legal profession. After having my daughter, I needed a career that fitted more comfortably around family life, which led me to working in schools.
I really enjoyed this change, particularly the opportunity to work more closely with people and build relationships. As my daughter grew older however, I began to realise that although I had enjoyed the different paths my career had taken, I still hadn't quite found the work that felt right for me.
With a little more time to think about what I wanted to do next, I enrolled on an introductory counselling course. I didn't know at that point where it would lead - I simply wanted to explore something that interested me.
I loved it.
That first course led to a certificate in counselling, then further professional training and eventually an MSc in Psychotherapeutic Counselling.
Looking back, counselling brought together something that I had valued throughout my working life - connecting with people, listening to their experiences and trying to understand the world from their perspective.
Today, those values remain at the heart of how I work as both a counsellor and clinical supervisor.
A Therapeutic Approach
My therapeutic approach is humanistic and integrative, with person centred values at its heart.
This means I don't follow a fixed programme or assume that one approach will work for everybody. I can draw on CBT and solution-focused approaches where these may be helpful, while keeping our relationship and your individual experience at the centre of the work.
I believe counselling works best when you fell able to be yourself - including the parts of yourself you may find difficult to understand or accept.
My Approach
Qualifications & professional practice
MSc Psychotherapeutic Counselling - Distinction
Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Supervision
Registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)
I undertake ongoing professional development and work within the BACP Ethical Framework. My practice is supported by regular clinical supervision and appropriate professional insurance.