Jane Lindsay

I work from two locations in North Leeds.

I currently have limited availability on Thursdays but work flexibly so if you'd prefer a different day, please do still get in touch.

I believe that meaningful change often begins with understanding. When life feels overwhelming, we will often focus on trying to find a solution or a way to make difficult feelings go away. In therapy, I offer a space to pause, explore and make sense of your experiences with curiosity and compassion, so that any changes we make are grounded in a deeper understanding of you.

My approach is relational, integrative and collaborative. I recognise that every person is unique, so rather than following a single therapeutic model, I draw on a range of evidence-informed approaches and work alongside you to find what is most helpful. Together we will think about your experiences, relationships, emotions, values and the patterns that may have developed over time. We will always move at the pace that feels safe and manageable for you.

I don't believe people are problems to be fixed. Our ways of thinking, feeling and responding usually make sense in the context of our lives, even when they are causing us pain or keeping us stuck. Therapy provides an opportunity to understand those patterns more fully, develop greater self-awareness and discover new ways of relating to yourself and others.

Alongside my psychotherapy training, I have a background in leadership, coaching and supporting people through change. This means I have a particular understanding of the pressures that can arise through work, responsibility, identity and life transitions.

Whether you are experiencing anxiety, depression, burnout, relationship difficulties, loss, questions about identity, or simply feel that life no longer makes sense in the way it once did, I aim to offer a thoughtful, accepting and non-judgemental space where you can feel heard, understood and supported. My hope is that therapy enables you not only to cope differently, but to understand yourself more deeply and move forward in a way that feels authentic and sustainable.

Starting therapy can feel like a big step. You may be feeling overwhelmed, stuck, exhausted or simply unsure why life feels harder than it should. You don't need to arrive with everything worked out or be able to explain exactly what's wrong. We'll begin where you are.

Being neurodivergent has shaped the way I understand difference. It has strengthened my commitment to approaching every client with openness and curiosity, recognising that there is no single 'right' way to think, communicate or experience the world.

My aim is always to understand your perspective, not fit you into someone else's framework.

One of the most important things you can expect from me is curiosity. I won't assume I know what your experiences mean or rush to offer solutions. Instead, we'll work together to understand them. I believe our thoughts, feelings and responses make sense in the context of our lives, and therapy offers a space to explore them with compassion rather than judgement.

There is no expectation that you will always know what to say. Clients often tell me they appreciate having space to think out loud. Some of the most helpful conversations begin when we become curious about the patterns and meanings that have shaped our experiences and start to see ourselves differently as a result.

Although I bring professional training and experience, you remain the expert on your own life and we will work together to make sense of your experiences. The therapeutic relationship is something we build collaboratively, and I welcome honest conversations about how our work is feeling and what may need to change.

Working with me, you will be met as a whole person rather than a diagnosis or problem to be fixed. Alongside warmth and acceptance, I may offer gentle challenge, a different point of view or make room for humour when it feels right. My hope is that our work helps you relate to yourself with greater compassion and move forward in ways that feel more authentic and sustainable.

Before beginning therapy, I offer a free initial conversation. This is an opportunity for us to understand what has brought you here, what you're hoping for and whether working together feels like the right fit. It is also a chance for you to ask any questions you may have about therapy, how I work or what you can expect.

During this conversation, I'll ask a few practical questions about your current circumstances, health and wellbeing. This helps me consider whether therapy with me is the most appropriate support for you at this time. If I believe another service or approach would better meet your needs, I'll explain why and, wherever possible, help you think about the next steps. If the timing isn't right, you'll always be welcome to return in the future.

If we decide to work together, we'll arrange a first therapy session. This is a full session, with the same length, fee and setting as every session that follows. Rather than seeing it as an assessment, I see it as the beginning of our work together.

We'll start building a shared understanding of you, your experiences and what feels important. I may ask a few more structured questions than I would in later sessions, simply to make sure I have the information I need to support you well. That might include practical preferences, such as whether you'd like a drink, whether you need a short break during the session, or anything that would help you feel more comfortable in the room. We'll also complete a small amount of essential paperwork, but I'll keep this to the minimum needed so that our focus remains on you rather than forms.

There is no expectation that you tell me everything in the first session. We don't have to rush. Our first meeting is about beginning a relationship built on trust, curiosity and collaboration, creating a space where we can gradually develop a shared understanding of what has brought you here and what you need from our work together.

I work from two locations in North Leeds. I have limited availability on Thursdays currently but work flexibly so if this doesn't work for you, please do still get in touch.

Therapeutic Coaching

I offer Therapeutic Coaching to people who want more than practical advice but don't necessarily need ongoing psychotherapy. It is grounded in psychological understanding but remains future-focused and developmental. Therapeutic Coaching helps people understand themselves in relation to work, identity and change so they can move forward with clarity and intention.

You may be facing a transition, feeling stuck in familiar patterns, questioning your direction, recovering from burnout, navigating neurodivergence, or simply sensing that something in your life or work no longer fits. Together we'll create space to understand what's happening while also working towards meaningful, sustainable change.

Being neurodivergent has shaped the way I understand difference. It has strengthened my commitment to approaching every client with openness and curiosity, recognising that there is no single 'right' way to think, communicate or experience the world.

My aim is always to understand your perspective, not fit you into someone else's framework.

We will work collaboratively and reflectively. Rather than focusing only on what you should do next, we'll start by understanding how you've come to see yourself, your situation and the possibilities available to you. Often, lasting change begins not with finding a better strategy, but with seeing the situation differently.

I don't rely on generic models or assume that the same approach works for everyone. I work alongside you to explore the meaning of your experiences, the assumptions that may be shaping your choices, and the relationship between who you are and the challenges you're facing. From there, we can identify practical ways forward that feel authentic and sustainable.

Whether you arrive with a clear goal or simply a sense that something needs to change, we'll begin where you are. My hope is that, together, we can see your situation more clearly: when the meaning changes, so do the possibilities.

When we begin working together, my first priority is to understand your perspective. You don't need to have everything worked out or know exactly what you want from coaching before we start. We'll begin with whatever feels most important to you, moving at a pace that feels safe, thoughtful and collaborative.

You can expect me to listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions and offer observations that help you see your situation from different perspectives. Rather than assuming I know what your experiences mean, I'll stay curious and work alongside you to develop a shared understanding of what's happening and why it matters.

I aim to create a coaching relationship that feels respectful, honest and supportive. I won't offer quick fixes or tell you how to live your life. Instead, I'll encourage you to reflect on the assumptions, beliefs and patterns that may be influencing how you see yourself and your circumstances, while also recognising the strengths, values and resources you already bring.

As a therapeutic coach, I combine psychological understanding with a practical focus on change. Together we'll explore not only what has shaped your current experience, but also how you want to move forward. Where it's helpful, we'll identify goals, experiment with new ways of thinking or responding, and reflect on what you learn between sessions. The emphasis is on creating changes that feel meaningful, realistic and sustainable rather than simply finding temporary solutions.

Above all, you can expect a relationship built on openness, curiosity and collaboration. My aim is always to understand your perspective, not fit you into someone else's framework. I hope that our work together helps you develop greater clarity, confidence and self-understanding, creating the conditions for lasting change in the areas of life that matter most to you.

Before we begin working together, I offer a free introductory Understanding Conversation. This is an opportunity for us to meet, talk about what has brought you to coaching, answer any questions you may have and decide whether working together feels like the right fit. There is no obligation to continue afterwards.

If you choose to go ahead, our first coaching session is the same length and fee as every session that follows because this is where the work begins.

There will be some practical matters to cover at the start, including a coaching agreement, confidentiality, boundaries and a small amount of paperwork. I keep this proportionate so that most of our time can be spent exploring what has brought you to coaching.

You don't need to arrive with a perfectly defined goal or a polished explanation of what's wrong. Many people begin coaching with a sense that something isn't quite working, that they're at a crossroads, or that they keep encountering the same challenges without understanding why. Together, we'll begin to put words to your experience, exploring not only what is happening but what it means to you.

Rather than rushing towards solutions, we'll take time to understand your perspective, your hopes for coaching and the wider context of your life and work. I'll ask questions, reflect back what I'm hearing and invite you to consider different ways of looking at your situation. Often, simply developing a clearer understanding of the challenge creates new possibilities for change.

By the end of our first session, my hope is that you'll leave with a greater sense of clarity about what you'd like to work towards and how we might work together to support that journey. Coaching is a collaborative process, and we'll continue to review what feels most useful as our work develops.

My aim is always to understand your perspective, not fit you into someone else's framework. From our very first session, that principle will guide how we work together.