Jackie Edwards

Based in South-East London currently available for face to face, on-line, telephone and walk &talk sessions.

Sessions offered can be long-term, short time, time limited, single session, outdoor sessions and last for 60 minutes.

Relationships, family issues, anxiety, depression, financial concerns, are all common stress factors today. Talking, and working together may enable you to find ways to navigate and cope. More and more people are also recognising neuro-divergence or receiving diagnosis and I am able to discuss and find ways to work that suit each client as an individual and/or to work with supporting any impact it may be having on your life.

Different life stages can manifest different problems.  Work, marriage, family, young and adolescent children, relationships, menopause, infidelity, addiction, self-sabotaging behaviours, a general sense of unhappiness, feeling unfulfilled, not coping, depression, anxiety can all be manifestations at different points in our lives and working and identifying these life stages can be a way of starting to explore and understand where we are at and how to move forward with more hope and focus.

Counselling does not need to only be about dealing with a crisis, although this is often when a person might consider looking for a counsellor.   Recognising and deciding to seek support is an important first step in acknowledging that an issue or concern simply won't solve itself.   No matter your timing it can be used as a tool at any point in your life to address and talk through issues or concerns that you may want to discuss and explore.   If you are reading this, it is probably the right time.

My Person Centred approach integrated with Gestalt theory means that I provide a supportive space to explore areas in life where you might be feeling stuck or held back either by past experiences or current life challenges. With empathy and compassion, I create a non-judgmental environment where you can explore your feelings at your own pace, setting your own agenda.

By increasing self-awareness it can help to recognise patterns that no longer serve you, uncover feelings you might be avoiding or minimizing, and identify roles you might be playing that don’t feel authentic or no longer work for you.  By understanding yourself and embracing the choices available to you, you can reconnect with your true self and move forward with empowerment.

The client counsellor relationship is important and I offer a confidential, safe and supportive space for you to explore.  Sometimes, you may not even be sure or be able to pinpoint what's not right, but by offering a space where you can take the time that you need, in a space without judgement, where you can be heard, seen and validated can help.    Increasing a greater understanding of your own needs, feelings and unique circumstances and working toward meaningful change or to explore coping strategies can be steps to experiencing positive change.

In collaboration with clients, I practice empathic understanding and foster self-exploration at a comfortable pace, empowering individuals to address the concerns they wish to bring to therapy. Through exploring thoughts and feelings clients often gain increased insight, heightened awareness, or new perspectives. This process can enhance understanding of current behavioural or relational patterns that may be creating challenges within various areas of life or a sense of feeling 'stuck'.  

As a means to facilitate change and self-empowerment I draw on a variety of techniques and methods from both Person-Centred and Gestalt theories.  I support a flexible approach, and can work  creatively, outdoors (Walk & Talk) and can work somatically if this is something that feels right for you drawing on my experience as a fully qualified massage therapist and my own yoga practice.

Emphasis is placed on the importance of accepting all emotions without judgment, sharpening and expanding awareness and exploring what may be minimised or avoided.   Noticing how we might respond to others and to ourselves can help us to find our own path and solutions.

Many clients recognise ways in which they might be self-sabotaging but are finding it difficult to stop or manage. These might include concerns about compulsive or excessive behaviours including alcohol, exercise, work, relationship co-dependency, self-harm. Exploring and understanding the emotions under these behaviours can often help to identify causes and impact on current emotions including depression, anxiety, stress etc.

Finding a suitable counsellor can feel challenging and with this in mind I offer a free 20-minute telephone session for you to ask any questions that you may have in order to help you to decide if I am the right counsellor for you.  You may also want to use this opportunity to briefly share the issue you want to discuss and how we might work together.