JESSICA WALKER (Haskins),

DCounsPsych

Background

I am a Counselling Psychologist registered with HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist. I have worked therapeutically for over a decade with all kinds of client groups. I work from an integrative, relational perspective. This means I am trained in a number of different modalities, and will develop a therapeutic approach that meets your individual needs, with an underlying ethos of developing a positive relationship with you through which to effect change. Modalities I have experience in include:

• Psychodynamic psychotherapy

• Relational therapy

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

• Compassion focused therapy

• Brief solution-focused therapy

• Addictions therapy

• Mindfulness

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)

​

As well as working as a counselling psychologist, I have experience as a freelance research consultant and a lecturer in Psychology. I am also a keen wild swimmer and aspiring writer! I provide training and clinical supervision to workplaces and individuals. Over the last 15 years I have worked in varied psychology and therapy roles including forensic psychology services, homelessness and complex needs (Second Step), addictions (with adults and young people, both residential and community based), NHS IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) services, SANEline (a mental health telephone support service), psychotherapy services with children in Mexico, and mentor services for early career researchers. 

​

I am very interested in how the attachments we have formed in our early life may shape our future relationships, and how later positive attachments can help us find the strength to overcome problems. This understanding informs the work I do with many clients. I also use many positive psychology strategies that can help us overcame shame, despair and difficulty. I see learning to be kind to the self as an important part of empowering change from within, and use many techniques that can help you with this.

​