Jessica Ward

I completed my diploma in Child Psychotherapeutic Counselling at The Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education. I have worked in primary and secondary schools in both the public and private sector as well as specialist counselling organisations that specialise in working with young people. I currently manage a counselling team in a leading independent school in Somerset and run a private clinic in Frome.

I am fully accredited as a registered member of the UK Council for Psychotherapy and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

I believe that it is the therapeutic relationship that is at the heart of psychotherapy. Creating a bond with the children and young people I work with by offering positive unconditional regard, non-judgemental acceptance, authentic engagement and empathic understanding.

I offer a safe, confidential space where children and young people are invited to talk or use the arts to communicate and explore difficult thoughts and feelings. Younger children may communicate through play whilst older children and adolescents might prefer to talk or use images to express themselves.

Call me for a free 15-minute phone consultation to discuss how counselling may benefit a child or young person.

Initial Consultation (50 minutes)

An initial appointment is arranged with parents or carers of the child/young person to gather some background info and discuss the presenting issues in more detail (depending on age and circumstances a young person may wish to see me independently).

Therapy Sessions (50 minutes)

After the initial consultation, the child/young person attends therapy sessions without their parent/carer. The sessions are confidential between myself and the child/young person with the exception of any safeguarding issues (this will be fully explained during the initial appointment). Sessions generally take place on a weekly basis