Hello, I’m Jess.
My Practice
I am a person-centred therapist working with individuals aged 16+ in Kendal, Barrow, and online.
My approach is relational, compassionate and authentic. I show up as a fellow human being in the room with my own “quirks” and “flaws”, and I invite you to do the same. I will aim to offer you a space that is free from judgement and shame, and together, we will hopefully build a therapeutic relationship that is based on trust and mutual respect.
My path to becoming a therapist emerged from a special interest in psychology, sociology, and criminology, as well as my own lived experience of mental health difficulties. In my own personal therapy, I discovered greater self-compassion, understanding and hope, and I wanted to share that with other people.
At the heart of my practice is a commitment to inclusivity. I welcome people of all identities, sexualities, relationship styles, neurotypes, ethnicities, abilities, and expressions of self. I recognise that each person experiences the world differently and my practice revolves around acknowledging the impact that social, cultural and systemic forms of oppression can have on our wellbeing, relationships, and sense of self.
I am particularly passionate about supporting Gen Zs and Millennials, individuals who are autistic and/or ADHD, LGBTQ+ communities, and people navigating the complexities of dysfunctional family relationships, intergenerational trauma, or adverse childhood experiences.
Qualifications and Experience
Alongside my private practice, I am a volunteer therapist at a local higher education college supporting young adults. I am also a volunteer therapist with Lancashire LGBT.
I have experience working with domestic abuse, sexual violence, neurodiversity, low self-esteem, eating disorders, grief, life transitions, self-harm, academic pressure and struggles with identity.
I am dedicated to my ongoing professional development and I engage in regular clinical supervision and training. I also keep up to date with current research and legislation. This is all to ensure that I am providing my clients with safe and informed care. I love to read both theoretical and practical therapeutic literature, plus I am a huge fan of fiction (favourite genres include horror, crime, and sci-fi!).
Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy (currently studying)
Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
I am a registered member of the BACP and as such I follow their ethical guidelines. I also hold the relevant insurance to practice and an enhanced DBS.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, I am currently accepting new clients. If you are interested in working with me, please contact me using the form on my website or drop me an email.
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Congratulations on taking this first step, it can be one of the hardest ones.
In your first session, I will invite you to begin telling your story at a pace that feels comfortable for you. I may ask some questions to better understand why you are seeking professional support and about your history. However, our sessions will be led by you and you are not expected to share anything that you are not comfortable with right away.
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I recommend weekly sessions at the beginning of our time together because it allows us to reach the depth of work often required to make psychological change. However, I appreciate this may not be financially accessible for everyone, so please contact me to discuss.
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This is completely unique to you and will depend on your presenting issues and the complexity of what you bring to our sessions. Some people find what they need in fewer than 10 sessions, others can spend months or years in therapy.
I work on the basis of open-ended therapy, but if you have a time limit of sessions in mind, please mention this during our initial chat.
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This is one of the most frequent questions I receive as a therapist and it might sound cliché, but finding a therapist is like dating. Sometimes it works out right away, and sometimes it can take a few times to find the right person. Every therapist is different and private therapy compared to therapy within the NHS or via an organisation can feel very different as well.
Research shows that one of the most important predictors of positive therapy outcomes is a strong therapeutic relationship. In other words, it’s important that you feel like you gel with your therapist for therapy to feel helpful!
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Yes! I offer reduced fees to students and those on low income. Please contact me to discuss.
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No.
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