Nicola Jeffery

I see clients online and face-to-face on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. I'm currently taking new clients.

I’m a BACP registered counsellor in Exeter. I have a particular interest in working with adults who are neurodivergent, adults with a learning disability, people living with a chronic illness, and those who care for them. I also work with people from all walks of life.

My counselling is grounded in person-centred therapy. This is a warm, non-judgemental way of working that is led by you. I believe people already carry much of what they need within them, and my role is often to help make space for that to come through.

Alongside this, I draw on ideas from Gestalt, psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and on creative tools such as drawing, picture cards and sand tray. This means the work fits you, rather than fitting you into a single model.

I bring together professional training and lived experience. My background is in psychology, medical research and counselling, with many years in research and teaching. I’m also a parent and long-term carer to neurodivergent and learning disabled family members. This has taught me that growth rarely comes from quick fixes. More often it comes from being met with understanding, respect and patience.

I see clients in person in the Exeter area, and online by video. Sessions last 60 minutes and cost £60. I see clients on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, and I’m currently taking new clients.

I also offer walk-and-talk sessions outdoors, if you’d find it easier to talk side by side.

What to expect

When you get in touch, I’ll reply within two working days to arrange a first meeting. This is a chance to see whether we’re a good fit, with no pressure to talk about anything difficult.

Everything you tell me is confidential. There are a few rare exceptions, such as if I’m worried about your safety or someone else’s, and I’ll explain these at the start.

We’ll agree together how often we meet and for how long. Some people come for a few sessions; others for longer. You can review how it’s going with me at any time.

Making counselling accessible

I can provide information in Easy Read formats. Someone who supports you is welcome to help you contact me or come to the first meeting. If your health or energy changes from week to week, we can adjust the length, pace or format of a session.

Fees and cancellations

If you need to cancel, please give me 24 hours notice, otherwise the full fee is charged.

Professional standards

I’m a BACP registered member and work within the BACP Ethical Framework. I have regular clinical supervision. My privacy notice is at https://www.discoveringself.co.uk/privacy-policy.

The Threshold Session

Starting counselling can feel like a big step, especially if you’ve never had it before or if talking about feelings isn’t easy. So before we begin, I offer a Threshold Session. It’s a gentle first meeting to help you decide whether counselling is right for you, before you commit to anything.

In the Threshold Session we:

Talk about what counselling is, what happens in a session, and what it can and can’t help with

Agree what you’d like to get from our sessions

Make sure you understand what counselling involves and feel ready to agree to it

Think about any support you need to get to sessions, and who I can contact if you can’t come

Find out how you like to communicate, such as talking, creative approaches like drawing, picture cards, and whether you would like Easy Read information

Someone who supports you, such as a family member or support worker, is welcome to come too. Many people bring someone to this first meeting and then come on their own.

The Threshold Session lasts up to 60 minutes and costs £30 (a reduced fee of £30).

If you’d rather go straight into counselling, our first session is a chance to get to know each other, talk about what’s brought you here, and agree how we’ll work together. There’s no pressure to talk about anything difficult.