Jacqueline McPike

I offer appointments Monday-Friday between the hours of 9.30am-4pm.

Counselling can be a daunting prospect but it is a very positive step for many people. Most of us experience difficulties at some time in our lives and our life issue can often feel impossible to change or overcome. A counselling relationship, with the right person, can allow you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and wishes concerning your life. It can be a space to come and experience the freedom to express how difficult things are, whilst being part of a secure relationship.

Over the last fifteen years, my counselling experience has been in both the voluntary and private sectors working with young people and adults. Whilst working within four charities, I spent time with families experiencing homelessness and poverty and specialising in work with adults who had experienced child/adult sexual abuse. Within the third charity, I offered support to people recovering from an addiction and people at risk of sexual exploitation. I later worked in a local hospice for adults and children offering bereavement counselling. 

I currently work in private practice, counselling 1:1, training groups and teaching trainee counsellors. I have a particular interest in working with anxiety issues, stress related illness and chronic pain. My interest lies in helping people understand how repressed difficult/painful emotions can show up in our bodies in the form of painful symptoms. The developments in neuroscience over the last two decades has made our understanding of chronic pain much more comprehensive. I am passionate about working with and helping people understand how the brain and nervous system effect our experience of pain, be that in the form of anxiety, depression or a physical pain manifestation.

I work to offer a genuine relationship with my clients, one which enables them to progress on in their lives in a more accepting way. I also endeavour to offer psycho-education to clients so that they have a much deeper understanding of their nervous system and how to befriend it. I am a fully qualified counsellor with the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists. I have solid experience in a range of settings and have worked professionally with both young people and adults. I work within the ethical framework of the BACP and fully respect its guidelines.

Reflections of two past clients:

'Having worried that my problems were too small to bring to counselling.  Jackie's warmth and reassuring presence soon assured me that they were not. I have found a confidence and a trust in myself which has opened up a whole array of new possibilities for me. Working with Jackie in counselling has been a truly transformative experience.' Anon.

'I found Jackie to be a fantastic listener, professional and personable. She offers a space where any thought can be voiced, with no judgement made.  She offers steadfast support through the difficult periods. Counselling is possibly the best thing I have done in my life as I can see possibilities opening up for me which were impossibilities years before.' Anon.

I offer a free 15 minute telephone consultation in order for you and I to discuss your situation and to explore how working together may help.

Following on from this discussion, if you are happy to go ahead we will book our first session.