Jay Barkus

I currently offer online sessions, via Zoom. I am available during the week, on Wednesday and Thursday evenings only

As a humanistic integrative counsellor, my work is underpinned by the Person Centred Approach. My work is very much trauma informed because the impact that early childhood traumatic events can have on a person can be deep rooted. Trauma and shame leave us unable to emotionally regulate & finding it difficult to make & keep healthy relationships. Recognising the significance of trauma means that I work with compassion & sensitivity, helping clients to make sense of how they experience themselves and their shame.

When working with children & young people (11 years & over), I work with where they are at developmentally & place them at the heart of the therapeutic process. I encourage them to explore their feelings & thoughts, helping them to gain a better understanding of who they are. I ensure that our sessions go at their pace, listening & accepting them & helping them to establish effective coping skills. I have extensive experience working with young people struggling with bullying, anxiety, depression & bereavement.

Having experienced my own childhood trauma, I am able to understand & recognise the impact & importance that a therapist can have, to help work through those traumas & to make sense of difficult thoughts & feelings. It can feel scary & terrifying reaching out to speak to a therapist, but I will meet your fears, worries, and difficulties with empathy & acceptance, and celebrate your resilience, strength & courage. We will go on your journey together, you will not have to face these feelings alone.

I offer counselling which centres upon your unique experience of how you view the world around you, and I want to help empower you, encourage your self-awareness & and support your growth. I truly believe that encouraging you to have control of the work, in an atmosphere of unconditional positive regard & compassion, helps you to explore and make sense of what is going on for you.

I will bring curiosity, acceptance & understanding into our sessions, allowing you to just be who you are, free of judgement. Our therapeutic relationship will be built upon mutual trust, where you will be held, valued & supported.

The space that I offer will help you to make sense of any difficult feelings that you may be having & we will work together, exploring your experiences & challenges, uncovering a deeper understanding of yourself. As your therapeutic journey progresses, you will start to become more aware of the unconscious patterns & behaviours which have shaped your thoughts, behaviours & emotions. This increased self-awareness, will allow you to be more accepting of the person that you are, so that you can reach your full potential, helping you to make healthier, positive choices in life.

Our first session together, which I charge for at £20, will last for 25 minutes. It will be an opportunity for the both of us to get a feel for each other.  I can then start to understand what it is that you are seeking to get from therapy, why you feel that therapy could help & how we will work together if you choose to work with me, and you will get a sense of what it might be like working with me.

Should we then decide to start working together, we will then meet up weekly for a session that lasts for 50 minutes.