Jessica Herbert

As much as there is struggle, there is also hopefulness in all these scenarios: that something better lies ahead, if only we can find our way there. There is a tendency today to conflate the idea of a better life with the achievement of happiness or greater material ease. My own approach to psychotherapy is based on a belief that fundamentally we are all seeking more meaning and significance to our lives, and are searching for a deeper connection to ourselves, to others, and to the world we live in.

Bilingual French and English, I offer individual sessions in both languages to adults aged 18 or over. I am a registered member of the BACP and abide by its code of ethics.

Alongside my work as a psychotherapeutic counsellor I have a career in the creative arts and in corporate and executive training and coaching.

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Psychotherapy with Jessica Herbert

My approach:

I offer weekly face-to-face sessions, usually on an open-ended basis: this means our work together can take the time it needs, and we will regularly review our progress. This approach will suit clients considering more in-depth psychological growth around their presenting issue.

I am also happy to offer short-term counselling depending on your needs.

How therapy can help:

We all develop ways of seeing the world and inherit beliefs about ourselves and others, from childhood: through our upbringing, our schooling, our culture, our society. These may get reinforced or challenged as we grow into adulthood. Life events also leave their mark, skewing how we perceive others, and how we present ourselves.

We develop patterns of behaviour and relating that are informed by these past experiences. Some of these ways of being may be part of our accepted personality, others we may struggle to accept, feel ashamed of, and still others we may be unaware of but feel them manifest in repeating issues that unwittingly restrict our drive towards becoming more of who we deeply know, or want, ourselves to be.

Working with me:

Working together we will explore those blocks that prevent you from achieving healthier relationships, and more meaning and connection in your life. We may revisit your past, to bring more awareness and understanding to present challenges and accomplishments. We will aim to make more of what is unconscious or unknown, apparent, to support you in making new choices for the future, choices free from the unhelpful patterns inherited from earlier life experiences.

We will often use talking to begin to express what may not yet have found expression in our lives. We will also pay attention to how we express ourselves emotionally and sensorially through the body. We may explore dreams, metaphors, images, physical sensations to bring more of what is unknown or unclear to us into present awareness.

My training:

I trained as a psychotherapeutic counsellor at The Psychosynthesis Trust following an Advancer Practitioner Diploma in Executive coaching, and my approach is integrative: I blend a variety of theoretical approaches, (psychodynamic, existential, Gestalt, humanistic, person-centred) in service of a guiding principle which holds that all humans share a naturally-occurring drive to self-actualise, to become and express more of who they truly are.

More information on the contract:

I offer an initial 50mn assessment session at a lower fee: I recommend meeting several therapists for an initial session. Based on my own experience, I believe this is an important step to give you some agency as you decide who you would like to work with. Therapy is an intimate form of relating, and an initial sense of trust and safety can be key to establishing a supportive ongoing relationship.

The purpose of the assessment session is to help us both decide whether we feel it would benefit you for us to continue working together. The assessment session will feel different from a normal therapy session as it will involve me gathering some information to find out a bit about you, what brings you to therapy, your background and lifestyle. It is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions you might have about the process and how I work.

Following this, we will meet weekly on the same day at an agreed time. Whilst I believe in the benefits of committing to regular sessions, I also understand that life does not always play ball, therefore I do allow for some flexibility.

About me:

I first trained as an actor before extending my professional work into the field of self-development. For twenty years, I have worked with individuals and teams to improve the quality of their own lives through their relationships with self and others.

I am also mother to two children, and continue to navigate the struggles and joys of parenting alongside a satisfying professional life.

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Areas I work with:

I work with a broad range of presenting issues including but not limited to:

• Abuse
• Addictions
• Anxiety
• Bereavement and Loss
• Career change
• Challenges of a creative life
• Depression and low moods
• Disordered eating
• Existential concerns
• Family Issues
• Identity
• Ill-health
• Low self-esteem
• Parenting
• Relationship issues
• Sex Anxiety & Sexual Problems
• Stress and overwhelm

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Qualifications and Training:

BA hons Social Anthropology, Cambridge University
Advanced Practitioner Diploma in Executive Coaching, Academy of Executive Coaching
PGDip Psychotherapeutic Counselling, The Psychosynthesis Trust

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Contact:

Please call or email me to arrange an initial meeting, or if you have any questions about the process.
07733 010 821
jessicaherbert18@icloud.com

Rates:

Initial Assessment: £45
Session Fees: £70

I practice at Barnsbury Therapy Rooms on Wednesday mornings