Penelope Jacques

My working days are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

I am a qualified Psychotherapist and Psychotherapeutic Counsellor.  

As an integrative therapist I use a range of approaches and tools.  My aim is to support you where you are now, explore how you might want to feel, behave or relate in the future, and facilitate what you may need in order to move forward.

For some clients, exploring past experiences and childhood is an important part of gaining self-awareness and healing; for others, staying focused on the present may be what’s important. 

The experiences and the feelings you have are yours.  My role is to support and facilitate your exploration and understanding of them to relieve discomfort or ‘stuckness’ and provide a platform to explore how you might want to change.

My approach won’t be directive, and how we work together will depend on what feels comfortable for you and what we have agreed to do.

My practice is located in Holgate a short walk from York station, on a bus route and with on plenty of on street parking.

My therapy room is light and comfortable.  I offer a safe, private and non-judgemental space for you to be in, and be seen, as you share and explore your feelings.

Alongside traditional talking therapy my space is equipped with tools such as sand and clay for those interested in a more creative approach.

Whether a major issue has brought you to therapy, or you simply want to explore your feelings or experiences, coming to counselling for the first time can be daunting. Taking the decision to talk to someone is for many people a big step and a courageous one.

It is natural to be concerned about finding the right therapist for you, and at the same time perhaps not knowing what that looks like, particularly if you haven’t had any previous experience of counselling or therapy.

I believe the relationship between client and therapist is key to the success of the therapy. Picking someone you feel you can talk to is important, and so I offer a free telephone consultation to help you decide.

At the first session I will talk about how we will work together. I’ll explain my approach to confidentiality, and be clear on the commitment I make to this as well as the specific limitations of that commitment.

These details form the basis of the working contract between us, which we both sign. I will then ask you some questions about what brings you to therapy and what you hope to change by coming to therapy. This first meeting is an opportunity for me to give you a sense of how we could work together and for you to decide if you feel I am the right person for you to work with.