About Jackie Jones

My Qualifications

• Level 2 and 3 in Counselling Skills and Theory
• Level 4 Diploma in the Theory and Practice of Counselling
• Level 6 Diploma in Professional Supervision
• Continued professional development
• Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy

My name is Jackie Jones, I have been practicing as a qualified counsellor since 2008.

I work on the premise that the counselling relationship is fundamental to the counselling process.

I have a strong, professional bond with my clients. My job is to help people understand why they feel so dysregulated, help them access the tools and theory to heal, and find the path to fly solo once again.

I always hope to enable people to have those ‘penny drop’ moments that I had when I was young and in therapy. It is such a privilege to facilitate these moments.

Please feel welcome to send an email, WhatsAp or call me directly to discuss an initial consultation. Let’s see if we are a good fit for you.

Early Life & Diagnosis

I came into this world on the 27th October 1966. I was born with Hydrocephalus and coeliac disease. Hydrocephalus is a buildup of fluid in the brain. This excess fluid puts pressure on the brain which can damage the brain if left untreated. Back in 1966 nothing much was known about Hydrocephalus or the suggested treatment which was to put a shunt in to release the pressure on my brain.

The side effects to this procedure were huge in terms of a high probability that this procedure would cause me to incur severe brain damage. Mum and Dad made the decision with the advice of specialist to not go forward with this intervention and take me home to monitor and see how things developed. 

When I was diagnosed the specialist informed my parents that I wouldn’t be able to live independently, I would need to go to a school for people with learning disabilities because I wouldn’t manage mainstream and “wouldn’t hold down a job”. My parents did not heed this advice and made it their mission to have their ‘sugar plum’ treated just the same as anyone else. I followed my brother right through mainstream primary and secondary school. This tenacity was an indication of what would follow in my life.

The life expectancy of a person with untreated hydrocephalus in the 60’s was follows:

50% of affected people died before the age of 3 years old and 80% died before reaching adulthood. My Guardian Angels really must have been looking out for me throughout my childhood and young adulthood continuing into my adulthood really.

My parents encouraged me in my education, and I went on to college I achieved qualifications in maths, English and typewriting among others. I made loads of friends during this time which was great for building my social and emotional skills, although I didn’t realise this at the time, basically the university of life.

My personal experience of counselling

In my early 20’s I came to realise that I was having trouble maintaining relationships. Looking back personal relationships brought out in me feelings of not ‘good enough’ and not ‘worthy’ amongst other overwhelming negative feelings towards myself. I wondered what was wrong with me… I’d feel stupid and confused. During this phase of my life I felt that I couldn’t  talk to anyone about what I was experiencing. I felt ashamed and then I started to feel very angry as time and again I experienced people “leaving” me.

This went on for a couple of years and I began to know my angry side very well. It was repetitive, tiring and above all – preventing me from living a happy and fulfilling life. I even became addicted to fruit machines, spending most of my wages on those flipping things!

Eventually my GP referred me to group therapy under the NHS.

Each of us would bring to the group the reasons why we were here and eventually share the highs and lows of our life. We naturally learnt to trust each other as time went on as well as give feedback to each other as well as from the counsellor. I never knew how important this group would become to me.

I learnt the difference between sadness and anger alongside the message that it’s ok to feel these things, acknowledge them and express them. This made all the difference to my life going forward and I hold my 18 months at group therapy as one of the most pivotal times in my life.

My career & experience in foster care

I have always worked with people supporting mental health in one way or another – mostly in foster care and assisting disabled adults live independently.

I spent 15 years being a foster carer mostly for the local authority and a couple of years for a private agency.

During this time I  looked after just over a 100 children, young people and mother and baby placements. Here I learnt very early on that you can’t ‘fix’ the children who came into my care but indeed it was being able to accept and be with them just as they were in their journey alongside them.

For many children, recognising unconditional acceptance was where the magic would begin to happen. They would begin to flourish and the relationship would become fundamentally important. This was not always an easy point to get to and nothing was ever a guarantee even though the support and training available to foster carers was invaluable. 

I have worked during my 15 years in fostering with many different conditions and trauma such as Autism, learning difficulties, attachment issues, neglect, sexual abuse, physical abuse, sibling groups, unaccompanied minors and so much more.

I always loved going into children’s homes to meet young people who were ready to be reintegrated back into foster care. This process included visiting them in their environments, coming to visit my home to see what was to be their room and their home if all went well to finally moving in. I also have fond memories of working with these children.

Sometimes and when I least expect it I will hear from some of the children that I fostered. They are adults now and although any contact is on their terms its always a pleasure to hear how they are doing.

Helping people is a fundamental part of my life, and every step of my career lead me to become a counsellor. I am very grateful to be here.