Jennifer Kerr

I am currently offering in-person psychotherapeutic counselling in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on Saturdays. Please be aware that I can only work with clients who can commit to regular sessions on a Saturday - I have no availability on other days of the week. 

Are you in your 20s and feeling stuck, lost, or unsure of yourself, while everyone else seems to have things figured out? Or are you a parent trying to adjust to the changes that can come as children grow older and relationships shift?

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

I specialise in working with young adults aged 18-25 as they navigate the transition from adolescence to adulthood. I offer a reduced fee for this age group. The emotional challenges of this life stage are greatly underestimated and it can be difficult to find a space to explore these issues openly and safely.

Whether you are leaving home or university, questioning your direction, struggling with identity, or carrying feelings of shame from past mistakes, this life stage can feel very overwhelming. You might feel like you should have things figured out by now - but don’t.

With extensive experience of working with young people in the criminal justice system and university students, I bring a deep understanding of this complex life stage, and will support you as you reconnect with its opportunities for growth, new experiences, and fun.

Although much of my work focuses on young adults, I also support parents navigating the changes that can come when children grow older and relationships shift. The transition to adulthood does not just affect young people. Parents can also find themselves navigating loss, change and uncertainty, or trying to rediscover what life looks like in this next stage.

I also work with older adults during periods of transition, including changing family relationships, mid-life questions, loss, career-change and ageing. During periods of change, people often find themselves questioning who they are, what they want, or how they want to live. An independent space in which to explore these issues openly and honestly can be hugely helpful.

If you’ve tried CBT or other structured approaches 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. At times they may feel challenging, but often deeply rewarding as you begin to find your own voice and uncover what truly matters to you.

I am trained in Transactional Analysis (TA), an approach that helps people to understand longstanding patterns in how they think, feel, behave, and relate to others. This can bring clarity to why you might feel stuck in certain ways.

I work integratively though, drawing from a range of humanistic approaches, including person-centred, Gestalt, existential approaches, compassion-focused therapy (CFT), and solution-focused brief therapy.  In practice, this means your therapy is shaped around you, rather than a rigid formula. Some sessions may focus on deeper exploration and reflection, while others may be more practical or supportive, depending on what you need.

Before training as a counsellor, I spent 15 years working with young people and young adults in the criminal justice system, alongside 10 years working in higher education, specialising in dispute resolution. This background continues to shape my understanding of relationships, conflict, shame, identity, and the pressures people can experience during periods of change. 

Whatever it is you are going through, I bring energy, warmth, and if you are open to it, a bit of challenge, to help you unravel what you are feeling, reduce shame, and feel more accepting of yourself.

If you are considering therapy, I am happy to talk through what you are looking for. I offer a free 15 minute introductory telephone or video 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 £65.00 for 50 minutes, payable in advance. All therapy sessions thereafter are also charged at £65.00 for 50 mins, payable in advance. 

For young adults aged 18-25, I offer a reduced fee of £55 for 50 minutes.