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Sophia Jakeman Psychotherapist/Counsellor (MBACP

CHESTNUT COUNSELLING

About my practice

Sophia Jakeman Headshot

Hello, I’m Sophia and welcome to Chestnut Counselling. I provide a professional counselling service for adult individuals based near Basingstoke in Hampshire. I have many years of experience supporting clients with a range of issues, including; stress and anxiety; self-esteem and self-worth; communication and relationship issues. I also have additional specialist training and considerable experience working with the challenges of grief and loss. I am a professionally trained and qualified Psychotherapeutic Counsellor. 

 

I have trained as a teacher and have over 30 years of experience working in the field of learning and personal development across the private, public and voluntary sectors. During my career, I have also worked to address and influence the life chances of disadvantaged young people and health inequalities for children and families, as well as developing interpersonal skills to the benefit of organisations and their employees. I draw on this experience in my counselling practice to support and facilitate personal growth.

In addition to my counselling practice, I have worked in further education as a tutor/assessor for accredited courses in mental health awareness and counselling skills.

How counselling can help

There are inevitably times in our lives that are problematic, and we feel less than equipped to deal with the challenges we are presented with. Though this is not uncommon, sometimes we can feel alone with our feelings and unsure where to turn. You may be reading this as you face a particular issue or situation you know to be the cause of your uncertainty, worry or distress. However, sometimes the identifiable issue is less clear though, and it is not uncommon for individuals to be struggling with conflicting feelings, negative thinking patterns or intrusive unwelcome thoughts. The impact of unwanted issues can manifest themselves in many ways and can include; increased stress and anxiety; feeling unable to cope or overwhelmed; sleeplessness and fatigue; escalating conflict or avoidance within relationships; loss of motivation and focus; withdrawal and isolation; feelings of low self-worth and loss of identity, to name but a few.

Whatever your current experience, we'll explore together, working through the therapy process with the aim to meet your practical and emotional needs.

Qualifications, Membership & Additional Experience

Qualifications:
Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling - National Counselling Society (NCS) Diploma in Hypnotherapy and Counselling - Hypnotherapy Society (NHS)

Membership:

 I am a registered member of BACP Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists, as well as the National Counselling Society and The Hypnotherapy Society. I adhere to their guidelines for ethical practice, which includes regular supervisory support for work with my clients.

Additional Experience:
Volunteer Counsellor in a local Hospice providing emotional support to individuals with life-limiting illnesses as well as those facing bereavement.

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What to expect

It can be daunting approaching counselling for the first time, and you may be wondering what it involves. The following questions and answers are designed to help with this:-

What will the sessions involve?

It is a very personal experience working with a counsellor, and creating and maintaining an open, supportive and friendly relationship with you, free of any judgement, is my first working priority. It is this positive relationship that will enable us to work well together, so you can experience real benefits within your timescales. Exploring your goals for counselling early on is important to help ensure the process is as beneficial for you as possible. We will always work at a pace and level that feels right for you. As you move through the counselling process, you will undoubtedly gain a deeper understanding of your inner thoughts and feelings. This clarity and insight can bring healing. It can also pave the way towards personal problem-solving, leading, in some cases, to significant and lasting change.

How often should I come and for how long?

An initial 30-minute, no obligation, non-chargeable consultation in person or via Zoom or phone is available. Thereafter, individual sessions last 60 minutes, and we would aim to have regular sessions, ideally weekly, over a period of time. There is no set length of time for this, for example, an individual might benefit from short-term solution-focused counselling (approx. 6- 12 sessions) or prefer a longer-term approach, perhaps to explore the self in more depth or work with a longer-term issue (up to 6 months or longer). It is always your therapy, and it should be both helpful and manageable to you. You are under no obligation to continue for a set period of time.

What are the fees?

A free 30-minute initial, no-obligation consultation via phone, face-to-face or Zoom is available. Session fees thereafter - £50 per hour 

What is your cancellation policy?

If you can no longer make your appointment, it is always helpful that you let me know as soon as possible so that we can reschedule it for a more convenient time. Without any communication before the start of the session (unless there are exceptional circumstances), it will be charged at the normal hourly rate.

When and where would you see me?

I work out of my home in a dedicated consulting room, which is situated in a quiet countryside location easily accessible from the M3 motorway and approximately 7 miles from Basingstoke, Alresford and Alton. I have plenty of off-road parking. I have a range of appointment times that include daytime, evenings and weekends.

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