Jennifer Kerr

I am currently offering in-person psychotherapeutic counselling in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on Saturdays. Online therapy is also available for clients across the UK on Microsoft Teams.

Hello, I’m Jen. I’m a BACP-registered and UKCP-accredited counsellor offering short and long-term therapy to adults (18+) in a beautiful and calming space in Gosforth. 

In me, you will find a therapist who is warm and empathic, but also clear, practical, and grounded. I will provide you with a neutral and confidential space in which I can support you to break down overwhelming situations and move forward with confidence.

If you’ve tried CBT or other structured therapies before, and are looking for something deeper and more relational, then psychotherapeutic counselling may be a good option for you. Our sessions will be more open and exploratory, sometimes challenging at first, but often deeply rewarding as you begin to find your own voice and uncover what truly matters to you.

With 25 years’ experience working in public services and emotionally demanding environments prior to becoming a counsellor, I have a helpful insight into the range of human experience and bring a deeply trauma-informed perspective to my work. I understand how overwhelming experiences can shape nervous systems, relationships, and coping strategies. We will work together in a way that feels safe and comfortable for you, explores the past only when it feels safe to do so, and responds to your feelings with respect and compassion

I love to support people for a wide range of issues – I am learning all the time. I’m particularly passionate about the experiences of high-functioning / neurodiverse (e.g. ADHD, autism) women in the workplace though, the impact of technology on wellbeing, the connection between body and mind, and the way nature can help us return to our true selves.

I am trained in Transactional Analysis (TA), a powerful model that helps you understand patterns in your thinking, feeling, and relating to others so that you can make lasting, meaningful change. I work integratively though, which means I draw from a range of other humanist approaches. These include, person-centred, Gestalt, existential approaches, compassion-focused therapy (CFT), solution-focused brief therapy, and trauma-informed principles. This flexible approach means that your therapy is shaped around you, your pace, your needs, and what genuinely supports your wellbeing.

Short-Term Counselling:

Short-term therapy can be especially helpful when life throws something unexpected your way. When faced with sudden change, it’s common to feel overwhelmed, unsteady, or like you are losing your mind, but this is often a normal human response to an extraordinary situation. Having a grounded, independent therapist alongside you, even for a short period, can make a huge difference. Short-term therapy is quite often enough to help with issues such as situational stress, anxiety, or low mood, bereavement, rand career and life transitions.

Longer-Term Counselling:

Long-term therapy offers space to explore deeper patterns, long-standing difficulties, or issues rooted in earlier experiences. If you’re feeling stuck, repeating the same patterns, or wondering ‘How did I end up here again?’, longer-term support might be right for you. You might benefit from long-term therapy if you are experiencing relationship and attachment issues, childhood trauma, compulsive or addictive behaviours, identity exploration (e.g. gender, sexuality, culture), feelings of low self-worth, shame, and inner criticism, existential concerns, and chronic perfectionism. 

If you are considering therapy, I am happy to talk through what you are looking for. I offer a free 15 minute introductory telephone call in which I can tell you more about how I work and you can ask any questions about the arrangements for counselling before committing to an initial assessment. This is not a therapy session, but a gentle starting point. 

In the initial assessment, I will gather some important information for the purpose of counselling, before exploring what prompted you to seek help now and what your expectations are. Initial assessments are charged at £50.00 for 50 minutes.