Jenny Louise Lyons

Choosing a therapist is a personal decision, and reaching out for support can sometimes feel like a big step. You may have been dealing with things on your own for a long time, feeling overwhelmed, or finding yourself caught in patterns you don't fully understand. Perhaps something has happened in your life that you are struggling to come to terms with, or you simply don't feel like yourself at the moment. Whatever brings you to therapy, I'd like you to feel that you can talk openly about what's going on, without worrying about being judged or having to explain everything perfectly. I am a BACP-registered integrative counsellor and psychotherapist, with a BSc in Psychology and an MSc in Health Psychology. My approach is warm, thoughtful and tailored to you as an individual. I recognise that we all have different experiences, relationships and ways of coping, so I don't believe therapy should follow a set formula. I am interested in understanding the person behind the difficulties they are experiencing. Sometimes, the way we think about ourselves, the relationships we form and the ways we respond to situations have roots in earlier experiences. We may develop ways of coping that help us get through difficult times, but which later leave us feeling stuck, anxious or unhappy. Making sense of these patterns can help us begin to approach ourselves and our lives differently. I aim to create a space where you feel comfortable enough to be yourself, including the parts of you that you might find difficult to share with other people. We can explore what's troubling you at a pace that feels right for you, whether that means talking through something that's happened recently, looking at experiences from your past, or trying to understand feelings that you have struggled to make sense of. As an integrative therapist, I draw on different therapeutic approaches depending on what you need. Our sessions might involve exploring your thoughts and emotions, recognising patterns in your relationships, finding ways to manage anxiety, or developing a kinder understanding of yourself. Sometimes, we may focus on practical ways to cope with what you're facing; at other times, it may be more helpful to slow down and explore things more deeply. I won't assume that I know what is best for you. My role is to listen, help you explore different perspectives and work alongside you as you find your own way forward. I may sometimes gently challenge you to consider something differently, but always with respect for your experiences and what feels manageable for you. I work with people experiencing a range of difficulties, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, trauma, grief, relationship difficulties, stress and feelings of being overwhelmed. You might struggle with self-doubt, find yourself putting everyone else's needs first, or feel that you have lost touch with who you really are beneath the expectations and responsibilities of everyday life. You may understand a great deal about your difficulties already, yet still find it hard to change how you feel. Or perhaps you aren't quite sure what's wrong; you just know that things don't feel right. Both are perfectly valid places to begin. Whatever you're bringing to therapy, you don't need to have it all worked out before we start. I believe that being understood can make a real difference, particularly if you've spent much of your life feeling that you need to be strong, keep things to yourself or put on a brave face for other people. For me, one of the most meaningful parts of therapy is seeing someone begin to feel comfortable enough to be themselves, perhaps for the first time in their lives, without feeling they have to hide parts of who they are, meet everyone else's expectations or be someone they think they should be. I also believe that understanding ourselves shouldn't mean endlessly analysing everything we do or blaming ourselves for the past. It can be about recognising why we have responded to life in certain ways, acknowledging what we have been through, and finding a way to move forward that feels more in keeping with who we are and what we need. My hope is that our work together will help you feel more comfortable with yourself, more able to understand and express your feelings, and better equipped to deal with life's challenges. You don't need to know exactly what to say in your first session, and you don't have to share anything before you feel ready. We can start with whatever is on your mind and take things from there. If you're considering therapy, I would be happy to hear from you and explore how we might work together.