Jessica Murray

I am an ISTDP (Intensive, short-term dynamic psychotherapy) practitioner and registered member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP). I have been practicing as a psychotherapist since 2016. Before focusing on ISTDP I trained in integrative, person-centered and psychodynamic approaches. I have many years of experience working in support roles with adults and children, including drug and alcohol services; domestic abuse support; playwork; learning disabilities and nature connection.

I offer individual, brief or long-term psychotherapy for adults and young people.

I strive for an inclusive practice that welcomes and affirms all people, regardless of ethnicity, age, class, gender identity, sexual orientation, or religion. I offer an initial session commitment-free and a sliding scale of fees dependent on means.

People seek therapy for different reasons. We might be feeling stuck, stressed, overwhelmed or hurt. Perhaps struggling with a relationship, coping with anxiety, or seeking self development and growth. Whilst we all face difficulties from time to time, sometimes we need extra help from someone experienced and separate from our lives to help us understand and address the deeper causes of what is troubling us.

My approach is emotion-focused, trauma-informed and is based on understanding the impacts of past experiences in order to have more choice in the present.

Therapy is healing through relationship. I will support and encourage you to experience yourself as deeply as possible and to allow yourself to be known by me. This process might involve facing difficult feelings or becoming aware of and challenging unkind or neglectful ways you have learned to respond to yourself.

Although it is not always an easy process, I will be hear to support you with kind, curious, non-judgemental care throughout. 

Through therapy clients find they understand themselves better and can have more fulfilling, joyful relationships. They have more energy and are less anxious and depressed. Sometimes unexplained physical symptoms go away. 

When we understand ourselves and our habitual, learned responses deeply, we develop the capacity to make other choices and to lean into connection and care.

In the first instance I offer a free 30 minute call. This allows us to meet each other, to see how you respond to a small trail of therapy, and for us to decide if we would like to work together further.

This session is an opportunity for us both to explore whether we feel I can help you and whether we would like to start working together.

Thereafter I usually see clients for 75 minute sessions either on a time limited or open-ended basis. Sometimes clients prefer to start with an extended first session which can be a really great way to 'dive in' to the work. 

I find weekly sessions create momentum which really supports the therapy process, although some clients move to fortnightly sessions once the work is established. Other clients like to do 'block therapy'; longer sessions of up to 3 hours less regularly. This can particularly suit clients who live further away.

I can offer both time-limited and open-ended counseling.