Counselling Psychologist: Dr Jess Haskins (Walker)

Background

I am a Counselling Psychologist registered with HCPC (PYL36844) as a Practitioner Psychologist. I have worked therapeutically for over 15 years with all kinds of client groups. I work from an integrative, relational perspective.Jess-Walker-pic-February-2024

This means I am trained in a number of different modalities, and will develop a therapeutic approach that meets your individual needs, with an underlying ethos of developing a positive relationship with you through which to effect change. Modalities I have experience in include:

  • EMDR
  • Relational therapy
  • Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
  • Compassion focused therapy
  • Brief solution-focused therapy
  • Addictions therapy
  • Mindfulness
  • Psychodynamic psychotherapy

As well as working as a counselling psychologist, I am a freelance research consultant, a lecturer in Psychology for the Open University, and I provide training and clinical supervision to workplaces and individuals. Over the last 15 years I have worked in varied psychology and therapy roles including forensic psychology services, homelessness and complex needs (Second Step), addictions (with adults and young people, both residential and community based), NHS IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) services, SANEline (a mental health telephone support service), psychotherapy services with children in Mexico, and mentor services for early career researchers.

I am very interested in how the attachments we have formed in our early life may shape our future relationships, and how later positive attachments can help us find the strength to overcome problems.

This understanding informs the work I do with many clients. I also use many positive psychology strategies that can help us overcame shame, despair and difficulty. I see learning to be kind to the self as an important part of empowering change from within, and use many techniques that can help you with this.

Getting started

Healthy relationships can have a big impact on emotional wellbeing. I  therefore offer respect, warmth and empathy to help you build a trusting relationship with me, providing a safe space for you to work through your issues. I will work with you to decide on a course of action that we both feel will best help you make positive changes in whatever areas are most concerning you.

One of the most important factors in successful therapy is the relationship between the client and therapist, no matter which type of therapy they offer. Therefore it might help you to try out a few therapists first to see what suits you.

The sessions

Sessions will differ depending on the mode of therapy we decide to use. We may work more in the here and now, or we may look at where issues have stemmed from in the past. I will be led by you and your needs.

As I am trained in a variety of modes, I am able to use a range of techniques tailored to your specific needs. Whatever we do together, we will go at your pace. It can take time to feel safe enough to let someone in, so I don’t expect you to tell me everything straight away! We will work together – you are the expert in your experience, and I will be there to facilitate you in understanding yourself better so that you can live a more fulfilling, less stressful life. I understand that talking about your issues can feel quite challenging at times.

Sometimes you will feel enlightened after sessions. Other times you may feel a little exhausted. This is completely normal and all part of the process of change.

Contact and further information

www.jesswalkercounsellingpsychology.com

southbristolcp@gmail.com

07444 686246

Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy: Doug Teeling

About me

I believe firmly that in offering a compassionate, non-judgmental and safe environment each client can learn to trust their own experience and feelings. Beginning to talk about yourself and what you are dealing with may feel new or even unnerving, so I am always mindful to work with you at your own pace.

In the process of therapy many different issues may come up for you. There is no pressure to work to a schedule or through any set list. In talking together we have an opportunity to explore, reflect upon and understand more fully how and why you feel the way you do.

Whether you have been through something traumatic in the past or recently experienced some crisis in your life, or perhaps are dealing with a more prolonged sense of disillusionment with life, the space provided by therapy allows us to work through these issues together.

I have a particular interest in how early relationships shape our experiences later in life. Whilst I work in an integrative way and draw upon many theories, I find psychodynamic and relational approaches in particular offer great insight into how our past can live on in the present. I also pursue research exploring how the changing environment affects our psychological well-being.

In a time of accelerating climate change I believe it is essential to keep in mind the impact of the wider social, political and environmental challenges we are all necessarily affected by. Whilst we may not discuss this explicitly in sessions, I believe these issues will always be a part of how we find ourselves situated in life at any given time.

If you would like to meet for an initial session then please do get in touch.

Please note that during the ongoing situation regarding the Covid pandemic, I will be offering psychotherapy sessions online. I also have some availability for in person work. Please ask for more details.

Training, qualifications & experience

I am an accredited psychotherapist with UKCP having completed an MA in Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy at BCPC (Bath Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling). This course involves an intensive and in-depth approach to study over many years.

Alongside my private practice which has been running since 2013, I have also worked for the SWAN project in Bristol, one of the few places in the Bath and Bristol area which offers the opportunity for longer term low cost therapy.

My professional background is in mental health, having worked for nearly a decade supporting individuals dealing with enduring mental health issues. My previous training includes a Foundation Certificate in Counselling and Psychotherapy at BCPC, a Certificate in Counselling Skills at Bath College, as well as a degree in Psychology and Study of Religions at Bath Spa University.

I am also an active member of the Climate Psychology Alliance (http://www.climatepsychologyalliance.org/)

Fees

  • £75 per week. (A number of lower fee places are available).
  • £35 for initial session.

First steps

If you would like to find out more about coming to psychotherapy then I welcome you to get in touch.

We can arrange an initial session which is an opportunity to get a feel for how we would work together and to ask any questions you may have.

After this meeting you may decide if you would like to book further sessions, which would usually be on a weekly basis.

Outdoor Sessions

I will be offering a limited number of outdoor sessions from Spring 2023. Working outdoors can feel very different to indoor psychotherapy, and so we would first meet for an initial session indoors to explore together whether taking sessions outside feels appropriate. Sessions will be located in the countryside around Bath, would last 60 minutes and there would be a weekly fee of £80. If this is something you feel you would be interested in then please do let me know.

Contact details: