Jacqueline Harris

I offer online or face to face sessions 

If you're at a crossroads, feeling stuck or finding it hard to cope, counselling could be for you. At difficult times it can be daunting to take the first step but no matter what you are going through, things can change for the better.

I provide a safe, confidential, non-judgemental place to talk where I can help you make sense of what you're going through and increase your confidence and understanding of yourself.

I work in a way that suits your individual needs. Together we will work through your problems at your own pace. My approach has a strong person-centred base which means a fundamental belief in your capacity to know what is right for you and you'll be enabled to  discover more about your potential and to  find your own answers.

I'm a professional counsellor with over 20 years of experience of working in the private and voluntary sectors including Employee Assistance Programmes, childhood and adult abuse agencies, work with international students and refugees and loss and bereavement  work. I'm also a school counsellor and creative arts therapist and can offer  parent consultations. In addition I am a clinical supervisor.

I work in quiet, comfortable therapy and well-being offices in south Liverpool. 

I work in a collaborative way, finding out what approaches work for you and going at your own pace. I will calmly, patiently and sometimes humorously create a safe, comfortable, accepting  space for you to sound out your thoughts and experiences, no matter how confusing.

 Clients often report leaving the session feeling lighter. I can make gentle suggestions if you are not sure what to talk about but will also give you a sense of being truly listened to as you explore a thought or idea, supporting you to make sense of these.

 I offer a wide  range of creative techniques, exercises that I can suggest when appropriate but the choice to do them is always yours. These include therapeutic writing, book and poetry therapy, mindfulness, focusing, visualisations, drawing, imagery and journaling.

 In short, no matter the challenge, I will be there alongside you, helping you to come to terms with the past, find your own inner resourcefulness and gain confidence in yourself and your choices.

The first session is an opportunity for you to meet me and get a taste of what counselling sessions with me might be like and whether we can work together. You will not be expected to tell me your whole life story. I  will go at your own pace. You will see if you feel comfortable with me and I will explain about what counselling is,  my background and the way I work. I'll be asking you what brought you here, what you would like to achieve and what previous support you have had. I'll be able to tell you whether I think I can help you, and you might like to go away and think about it or meet other counsellors first. It is so important to meet the right counsellor for you. There is no obligation to start counselling after this meeting.  

No further concessionary fees are available  at present

I supervise a wide range of adult and children's therapists, including experienced counsellors and creative arts therapists as well as pastoral and support workers. My supervisees work in various contexts, from EAPs, private practice , charities and agencies to universities, schools and children's services. I offer an integrative, collaborative, non-judgemental environment in which to reflect on and explore all aspects of clinical practice and professional development. I use a humanistic framework which is suitable  for therapists from different modalities to build expertise. A range of creative techniques can be used if appropriate. I have a certificate in clinical supervision.

My style is collaborative and  supervisees often mention that they feel safe and comfortable enough to reflect on both successes and aspects that they are not confident about. They can use the sessions to explore the reasons for their reactions with clients without judgement and gain insight. I am dedicated to helping them develop and some of my supervisees have gone on to give workshops and training in their chosen area of interest. I also offer creative media where appropriate as an opportunity for extending the understanding of client relationships. In short I have a holistic approach which accepts all parts of the supervisee. The feedback is generally that supervision is insightful, enjoyable and facilitative.

This is an opportunity for us  to get to know each other. We'll discuss your hopes, concerns  and expectations for supervision and I'll   outline the way that I work. I'll explain my experience and approach.

I'll find out what your experience is, what types of environments and client issues you have worked with, what you are looking for and what your theoretical approach is. I'll be able to tell you whether I think I could work with you or whether you need another supervisor with a more similar background and counselling model.