Jessica Ward
Registered Member MÌÇÐĹÙÍø
Contact information
- Phone number
- 07966987180
Supervisor - Frome
Features
- Flexible hours available
About me and my therapy practice
Having worked as a school counsellor across both independent and state school settings, I have a broad understanding of the different opportunities and challenges within each educational environment. I have particular expertise in independent and boarding schools, where I managed and supervised a team of school counsellors for eight years, giving me extensive experience supporting practitioners with complex safeguarding issues, risk management, ethical dilemmas, and the emotional demands of the role.
Alongside my work in schools, I have an established private practice working with children, adolescents and young adults. This allows me to bring experience of a wide range of presenting issues, different therapeutic approaches, and the practical and ethical considerations of working independently. My combined experience across school settings and private practice enables me to support counsellors working in a variety of contexts, whether employed within organisations or running their own practice.
Practice description
I offer a trauma-informed, reflective supervision space that balances support with appropriate challenge, helping counsellors develop confidence, clinical thinking, and resilience. My experience of boarding environments, where pupils’ needs often extend beyond the school day and family dynamics can be particularly complex, enables me to provide supervision that is grounded in the realities of independent school practice.
My first session
I offer a free 20 minute chat via Zoom to give us the opportunity to discuss your supervision needs, answer any questions and explore whether we are the right fit to work together.
Types of therapy
Creative therapy, Integrative, Person centred, Relational
Clients I work with
Children, Trainees, Young people
How I deliver therapy
Long term sessions, Long-term face-to-face work, Online therapy, Short term sessions
Therapist - Frome
Features
- Flexible hours available
- Concessionary rates
About me and my therapy practice
Specialist Young Person Therapist: Anxiety, Trauma & EMDR
The teenage years can bring unique challenges for both young people and their families. I specialise in supporting adolescents through this important stage of life, helping them navigate anxiety, low mood, trauma, emotional difficulties, relationship challenges and the many pressures that can come with growing up. I also work with children from the age of 8 and young adults, tailoring therapy to each individual's developmental needs and circumstances. I place great importance on creating a safe, confidential space where young people feel heard.
I draw on a range of evidence-based approaches, including talking therapy, creative and arts based interventions and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Alongside my private practice in Frome, I run a counselling service in a large independent boarding school, supporting young people with a broad range of emotional and mental health difficulties. This experience gives me a strong understanding of the challenges young people face both within education and at home.
EMDR can be particularly helpful for trauma, distressing memories, anxiety and other experiences that continue to affect everyday life. Where appropriate, I integrate EMDR into therapy as part of a personalised treatment plan.
Together we will find the approach that feels most comfortable and effective, whether that means talking things through, using creative techniques to express difficult emotions, or processing distressing experiences.
I am fully accredited as a registered member of the UK Council for Psychotherapy and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Practice description
I specialise in supporting children, teenagers and young adults to make sense of their experiences, develop healthier ways of coping and build confidence and resilience. I aim to create a warm, accepting and non-judgemental space where young people feel safe enough to talk openly, even when they have found this difficult elsewhere.
My first session
Call me for a free 15-minute phone consultation to discuss how counselling may benefit a child or young person.
Initial Parent Consultation (45 minutes)
An initial appointment is arranged with parents or carers of the child/young person to gather some background info and discuss the presenting issues in more detail (depending on age and circumstances a young person may wish to see me independently).
Therapy Sessions (50 minutes)
After the initial consultation, the child/young person attends therapy sessions without their parent/carer. The sessions are confidential between myself and the child/young person with the exception of any safeguarding issues (this will be fully explained during the initial appointment). Sessions generally take place on a weekly basis
EMDR (50-90 mins)
Preparation work for EMDR therapy can take place in the regular 50 minute sessions with processing sessions requiring a longer appointment of 90 minutes.
What I can help with
Abuse, Anxiety, Bereavement, Child related issues, Depression, Eating disorders, Identity issues, Loss, OCD, Post-traumatic stress, Relationships, Self esteem, Self-harm, Sexual identity, Trauma
Types of therapy
Creative therapy, EMDR, Integrative, Person centred, Relational
Clients I work with
Children, Young people
How I deliver therapy
Long term sessions, Long-term face-to-face work, Online therapy, Short term sessions, Short-term face-to-face work