Jane Thoy

With effect from 11/09/23 I have no current availability.  

I am generally available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and offer day and evening appointments subject to availability.  I offer face-to-face, online and telephone counselling.

Welcome.   I'm Jane and I'm passionate about supporting people by developing positive relationships with real, open and honest conversations.   

Sometimes we are very sure about why we are seeking counselling and sometimes it simply isn’t that clear-cut; something just doesn’t feel right within us. These issues may be rooted in current, recent and/or childhood experiences or their origins may also be uncertain. My role is to provide you with a safe, supportive space in which to identify, explore and understand these issues.

I have worked with individuals and families experiencing a wide range of traumas, stresses and relationship problems for over 20 years. This has included several years supporting people with significant emotional and psychological distress as a result of living with relationship abuse, either as children or adults.

Counselling is about healing but also acceptance, personal growth and development: Whilst it can sometimes feel challenging, it can also be inspiring and creative.

We will work together to take steps towards achieving your goals for coming to counselling - this may include considering different perspectives; understanding where unhelpful thoughts, feelings and behaviours come from; identifying alternative ways of thinking and new coping strategies - you determine if, when and how.

My counselling training was based on a relational model which means our working relationship will provide the foundation to explore your concerns, worries and experiences. I also draw on other theories and resources to tailor the support to best meet your needs - everyone is unique.

I work face-to-face, online and by telephone with adults (not couples or families) experiencing

• Anxiety, stress, depression, low mood

• Grief, loss, trauma, relationship issues, family problems

• Low self-esteem, low confidence

• Problems relating to trauma and/or abuse; historic, recent or current

• Specialism - Working with survivors of relationship/domestic violence and abuse, experienced in childhood or as an adult; (please see "About" on my website for further information).

Recent Feedback:-

"You have a special ability to recognise the depth of problems and issues. You're warm, non-judgmental and you focus on understanding and change. Your skill was in listening but also much more, you helped me to understand and find strategies to help improve my thinking and feelings. The therapy extended beyond the session as your voice has the ability to stay with me." S.M.

"I found Jane both incredibly professional, but also kind, friendly and easy to open up to.  She is extremely knowledgeable and gently led me with great insight to discuss how I was feeling and how I could change that.  Her expertise in domestic violence and associated issues was invaluable to me.  I can't recommend her highly enough.  It's also worth noting that her fees were very reasonable and enabled me to undertake counselling which had it cost more would have been prohibitive to me as a single parent." S.C.  

Before committing to counselling with me,  I recommend we have an initial (free) chat by phone and if you decide to proceed with counselling, I will email you some general information.  If we are meeting in person, this will include details of my location, parking etc.  I will also send you a copy of the Counselling Contract and Privacy Statement. If you have any queries about these before we start our work together, you can call me to clarify.

As part of our first session, we will review and complete the Counselling Contract; which includes information about missing sessions, fees, holidays etc and also review the Privacy Statement and my commitment to confidentiality. As part of the initial assessment, there may also be some additional details it would be helpful or necessary for me to know and similarly you may have questions you want to ask about my background, qualifications and how we will work together.

For many clients, the first session is the opportunity to start to 'tell the story'; the story may be a specific experience, a memory, a timeline of events or many of these; for others it is very difficult to identify the what, how, where and why. For some, the first session is a highly emotional experience being able to let go of thoughts, memories and feelings; for others it is a gentle and gradual process or, it may be incredibly difficult to speak about. There is no right or wrong; we will work at your pace and I will respect your choice about what you choose to share and when.

We will agree your initial goals for coming for counselling and these will be reviewed from time-to-time in subsequent sessions; and of course they can be changed. As part of this we will also discuss your wishes in terms of the number of sessions you wish, or are available, to attend; this will help us in setting realistic goals if our work together is time-limited.