Throughout my career I have worked with a number of presenting issues such as:

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Anxiety. Depression. Stress. Panic Attacks. Flashbacks. Nightmares and sleep issues. Intrusive thoughts/voices. Relationship issues. Suicidal thoughts.  Body issues. Post-traumatic stress. Complex-PTSD. PTSD.  Dissociative identity disorder. Bi-Polar Disorder. Borderline Personality Disorder. EUPD. Self-esteem & self-worth issues. Anger. Bereavement. Self-harm. Sexuality issues. Gender issues. Rape and Assault. Domestic abuse & violence. Childhood abuse, neglect and sexual harm. Life-changing accidents, illness or losses. Neuro-diversity. Addiction. Loneliness and isolation. 

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I work in an integrative therapeutic way, using parts of many modalities together to help you get your best from your time in counselling. My practice is for everyone, from all walks of life, cultures and backgrounds. 

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I am proud to be an inclusive, ambassador of the LGBTQIA+  community who will, without judgement, support you in any capacity to make sense of any relational, gender or sexuality concerns. 

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Recent Feedback:

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"Jan is a lighthouse that helps guide you to safe waters. As well as being a genuinely warm human being, I always feel completely heard and held in her company. 

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I've worked with Jan for over a year now and my life is almost unrecognisable to how it was. Unpicking things with her feels safe and authentic, not scary. I came to counselling thinking I needed a quick fix and now realise I deserve way better than that!

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Jan has given me so much more than simply "time in a room", it is hard to sum up concisely. I am forever grateful for her kindness and wisdom."

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Client "A", Queer community

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Training

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​Person-centred counselling

 

I chose to train in person-centred counselling as it is based on the humanistic philosophy that every individual has the tools inside to create a more positive way of living. As your counsellor I will provide the space for you to work through your issues and be there to support and guide you to what feels important without judgement. I find this approach is rich for exploration at a deeply personal level and that in itself promotes change. 

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Trauma

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Through my passion to support clients who have experienced trauma of any kind; I have undertaken more specialist training to understand the impact of trauma and the distress it can cause. 

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About Trauma-informed therapy

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I have worked in the field of trauma since qualifying, bolting on vital training that helps me to help you to understand the relationship between brain and body and the impact a one off traumatic event or multiple, traumatic experiences can have on you. 

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It is often not the traumatic event(s) that causes an individual the distress they experience long-term, it is the changes in their sense of self and sense of safety that can be totally debilitating. Trauma can turn your world upside down, leaving daily life difficult to navigate. 

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I use a 3 phase approach for trauma:

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·        Psychoeducation & stabilisation

·        Exploration

·        Integration

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Stabilisation is about building the foundation for safe exploration into what happened. We work to first re-regulate the nervous system.

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Basic psychoeducation helps you to develop an understanding of just how traumatic events change brain and body functioning. 

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The exploration phase gives time to exploring the actual impact of the event whilst feeling safe in the space we create together and in yourself.

 

Integration means moving forward with your life with a sense of the trauma no longer crippling you.  This is not to say the trauma never existed, but it no longer controls your life. 

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These stages are not linear and we may move in and out of any of them as we go. 

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EMDR

(Eye movement desensitisation & reprocessing.)

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EMDR is the recognised technique used within the NHS for helping people diagnosed with PTSD or trauma.  EMDR allows the client the opportunity to deal with their difficult memories in a timebound, safe environment. 

 

The EMDR process requires the client to trace the finger movements of the therapist, whilst completing some self-tapping of their own body. 

 

This combination allows the mind and body to reorganise the overwhelming feeling & memory that surrounds the trauma, reducing it's impact.

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​​​​About the BACP

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​I am a registered member of the BACP (British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy) and I am fully committed to working to the ethical framework, which provides guidance for best practice.

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Charity Work

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Alongside my private practice I work at a charity for survivors of domestic abuse, violence, sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse. I am immensely proud of the organisation and the support we offer across Cumbria.

 

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Counselling Qualifications (2010-2015)

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University of Cumbria, Lancaster

H.E Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling

Graduated with MERIT

Accredited by The BACP

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Swarthmore College, Leeds

Introduction & Level 2 Certificate in Person-Centred Counselling

Certificated MERIT

Accredited by the CPCAB

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Continuous Professional Development & Training 

​Applied Neuroscience: advanced strategies to treat complex trauma, anxiety & chronic pain (Certificate 2025)

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Working with trauma and the body (Certificate 2017 - Silva Neves)

3 Stage approach to trauma (Certificate 2018 - Silva Neves)

Avoiding Secondary Trauma (Certificate 2024 - Carolyn Spring)

Breathwork Diploma (Certificate 2024 - Centre of excellence)

Pre-Trial Therapy Training (Certificate 2024 - The Blue Star Project)

Polyvagal Theory Training (Certificate 2023 - Mind, Body Breakthrough)

EMDR Training (Certificate 2023 - Manchester college of coaching & hypnotherapy)

EFT Training (Certificate 2023 - Manchester college of coaching & hypnotherapy)

Compassion Focussed Therapy Training (Certificate 2023)

Working with Domestic abuse (Certificate, SafetyNet 2023)

Safeguarding adults and children (Cumbria CC - Certificate 2023)

Dissociation and DID the fundamentals (Certificate 2022 - Carolyn Spring)

Trauma and the body , dissociation and somatisation (Certificate 2022 - Carolyn Spring)

Childhood Sexual Abuse (Certificate 2022 - Carolyn Spring)

Dealing with distress, working with suicide and self-harm (Certificate 2022 - Carolyn Spring)

Dissociation and DID the fundamentals (Certificate 2022 - Carolyn Spring)

Working with dissociative identity disorders (Certificate 2018)

Compassion Focussed Therapy Training

Transgender Awareness Training (Certificate 2018, Birchall) 

Using miniatures as metaphor (Certificate 2018, Birchall)

Working with Intrusive thoughts and anxiety (Certificate 2018 - Mind, Body Breakthrough)

Psychosexual Training (Certificate 2017 - Silva Neves)

Attachment in Therapy Training (Certificate 2017 - Silva Neves)

Working with Rape and Sexual Abuse (Certificate 2015 - Birchall)

Foundation in Drawing and Talking Therapy (Certificate 2015)

Internal Family Systems - Introduction