Jennifer Christie

I have no current availability and am currently operating a waiting list. 

Sessions take place Thursdays (9am-5pm) / Friday (9am-1pm)

Life can be hard at times - relationships, grief, regret, fears, sadness, hurt. These experiences are familiar to us all but sometimes, when we're in the middle of the mess, we just need to be seen, to be heard, to be acknowledged, understood and accepted. Sometimes, just having a safe space to talk, think and feel our way through it all can be just what is needed to bring the peace, clarity, rest and encouragement to do the next little part of our journey. 

Finding the right counsellor can be tricky and it is a brave thing to seek help...well done for taking that first step.

As a qualified counsellor, I see my role as one who journeys alongside you, helping you to explore the painful and difficult situations and experiences of life - the things that have left you feeling a bit lost, broken, forgotten, confused or sad.

My therapuetic style is based on respect and empathy and I use an integrative approach to help you explore past experiences, current difficulties and future concerns, plans and goals. I will support you to see that meaningful, positive and lasting change is possible with a little help.

My quiet counselling office is based in Portglenone, near Ballymena. I hope to offer you a safe and welcoming space (one where you will not be judged, criticised or advised!) where you can reflect on those experiences or relationships that you have found, or are finding, difficult. I will gently help you to listen to the "still, small voice" within you - the one that knows you best and wants the best for your future.

I work alongside my clients in a collaborative way so that you have a sense of control over your counselling, for example, we'll agree together on number of sessions, what you focus on, techniques we might use, planning the end of counselling and so on. We will think about your experience from your persepctive, sometimes drawing on psychological concepts and therapeutic tools to help us do this. But always using the counselling relationship as the safe place to explore from. ​

I have had the privilege to work alongside individuals from a range of ages, backgrounds and abilities. My experience includes working with relationship issues, low mood, anxiety, depression, grief, issues of identity, life stages, miscarriage, infant loss, body image, low self-esteem, self-harm, bullying, family breakdown - amongst others.

I welcome individuals of all faiths or none to counselling.

As a Christian, I also offer offer pastoral support to those individuals who would like to consider their story from the Christian faith perspective.

Before counselling begins, I carry out an 'assessment' session - this is where you can tell me about your life, the difficulties you are experiencing and how you might like life to be different and we can work out together whether counselling is the right way forward.

In the assessment session, I will give you a copy of the counselling contract, which needs to be agreed to by you before counselling sessions commence (this can be done by signing the contract).

​​Counselling sessions usually take place weekly (sometimes fortnightly) and last 50 minutes.

Most people start with around six sessions, but we will agree what feels right for you - some people only want a few sessions, others need a bit longer.

Assessment and counselling sessions are £40 (some sessions are available for those who experience financial hardship at a reduced fee).

We will always be working towards an end to the counselling process - a point when you feel ready to 'do life' with some of the new ideas, awareness and skills that I hope you will develop in counselling.