About Me
“I'm not perfect... But I'm enough.”
Carl R. Rogers
I'm Jenny Gibbs and am a qualified registered BACP Person-Centred/Existential Counsellor with over 20 years of working within mental health. I spent the earlier part of my career in London, working as a Mental Health Nurse within the NHS and private sector, with a wide range of complex needs, including acute adult mental health as well as child and adolescent services and eating disorders.
I work in a non-directive client led way with my approach being underpinned by the belief that it is the relationship between client and therapist, which is the most important element in healing and therapy. I place a great deal of importance on the establishing of the therapeutic relationship as I believe that as a client you need to feel safe, accepted and not judged in order to be able to explore what it is that has brought you to therapy at this time.
I aim to work to create a trusting relationship that will provide a safe non-judgmental space in which I hope you will feel accepted and understood so that you can talk, without fear, about anything which concerns you. I have a strong belief that we need to own and value all our feelings, even the most uncomfortable ones and to be able to say how we feel and having witness to this can be a very powerful and growth promoting experience.
When not working, it is important for me to spend time doing things that replenish and nourish myself. These include yoga (mastering that elusive headstand), walking outside with my dog, Philosophy, Karate (Black belt) and reading whatever I can get my hands on. A lot of my spare time I enjoy finding a peaceful way of being and this allows me to process and be in the best place to listen to my clients. I love my job and believe that as individuals we all have our own powerful unique stories that deserve telling. I am privileged to be able to hear them and it is my responsibility to ensure that I am in that best place to provide the right conditions to do so.
'There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.'
Maya Angelou
Some of the areas I am interested in/work with:
Anxiety, Bereavement, OCD, Depression, Dissociation, Eating Disorders, Intrusive Thoughts, Phobias, Loss, Relationships, Self Esteem, Self Harm, Stress and Trauma.
I hold a current Enhanced DBS certificate and I am fully insured. Hours of work are flexible. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.
Qualifications / Training
I am a member of the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (MBACP) and I abide by the BACP Ethical Framework and Code of Conduct.
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BSc (Hons) Counselling (Uni of Middlesex)
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Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People (L5), CPCAB
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Diploma in Person Centred/Existential Therapeutic Counselling (L4), CPCAB
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Foundation Certificate in Counselling and Psychotherapy
(Bath Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling, BCPC)
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Diploma in Nursing Studies (Mental Health) RMN
St Bartholomew School of Nursing and Midwifery (City University)
Other:
Research into Loneliness in Private Practice (Therapist Perspective)
Foundation for Infant Loss and Bereavement Training (Accredited Practitioner)
Introduction to Brief Counselling in a University Setting.
Internal training: Dual Diagnosis; Eating Disorders (Bulimia and Anorexia Nervosa) and Mental Illness in Children and Adolescents.
Trauma and Attachment in Children and Families
Youth Mindfulness SOMA training
British Mindfulness Institute - Professional Training in the applied Use of Mindfulness for 12-18 year olds
Youth Mindfulness Kids Programme
Eight week MBCT (Mindfulness based Cognitive Therapy)
Introduction to Group Analysis (Institute of Group Analysis)
ICF Accredited Life Coaching qualification - (New U Coaching)