Initial consultation

Before we can begin working together, we can have a free 30 minute telephone conversation or video call so I can find out more about you, your background and your current situation or problem that you are struggling with. I will also ensure that I am working ethically. For you, this is an opportunity to share your experiences and goals and to ask any questions you may have before we decide if we are going to work together. No therapy will take place during this call.

If you decide I am the right therapist for you we can arrange our first session together, which will be 1 hour long. If you are not ready to decide, you can get back in touch via email or phone to check my availability at a later date.

My approach

During the therapeutic process I will offer confidential, respectful and safe conditions for us to work together. My aim is to offer you the opportunity to explore, express and identify your difficulties, goals or ambitions so that you can explore new perspectives.

I use an integrated approach of counselling, coaching and hypnotherapy. I seamlessly and intuitively blend various therapeutic models such as Person Centred, Cognitive Behavioural, Solution Focused with psychological education into each session. The therapeutic model of ‘being with’ (counselling) alongside the ‘doing with’ (coaching) helps bring about personal growth as well as beneficial and lasting change.

I can also introduce hypnosis as a means to enhance inward focused attention. By looking at your own memories through relaxation and imagery recall you can enhance the positive outcome of therapy and learn new skills to take away.

Counselling

Counselling provides a safe, private and confidential space for you to explore your issues. It's not about being 'fixed' or having someone tell you what to do. It's about looking at the past, thinking about your future, and focusing on the present whilst developing strategies to cope with the challenges you're facing.

Counselling can help you:

Develop new skills and ways of thinking that will help you manage your life better

Learn to communicate more effectively

Understand yourself and others better - relationships, family members, friends and colleagues

Reduce anxiety, stress or depression by changing negative thinking patterns into positive ones

To read more about how I can help you, please see my 'Issues I Help With' page.

Coaching

Coaching can be a more directive form of therapy than counselling, but my person centred approach means that our work together will be guided by you – I will only offer suggestions should you need it. Coaching is usually more solution focused, helping you achieve a specific goal, build resilience or transition in your life.

This could be preparing for an event, an exam, timekeeping or procrastination, a presentation at work, a new role or any change that you are struggling with.

When we work together, I may use approaches such as solution focused coaching and CBT. Psyche education is also an important part of the process, helping you understand that facing and overcoming challenges is a normal part of life that we all have to deal with from time to time.

Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is a completely safe form of therapy that uses hypnosis to help you change your thinking, behaviour and emotions by enhancing inward focused attention.

Anyone can be hypnotised if they choose to be, you can’t be forced to participate. Hypnotherapy is a collaborative process in which you allow yourself to follow my guidance, whilst using your imagination, to provoke positive emotions and rehearse behaviour change.

It is based on the idea that the subconscious mind has an influence over physical health and well-being. The goal of hypnosis is to help you make changes in your life by changing how you think about the perceived difficulty and find a solution from your imagination and your internal resources.

A typical hypnosis involves relaxing your body through breathing techniques or meditation while focusing on positive thoughts and feelings. I may then use suggestions to help you visualise your goals as if you have already achieved them or change your behaviour through positive reinforcement techniques. There are different types of hypnosis, each with its own uses. My approach is to blend hypnosis into sessions as and when necessary.

Hypnotherapy can be used to help you:

overcome anxiety

promote good sleep

lose weight

manage pain

stop biting your nails or break many other ‘bad’ habits

promote personal development in public speaking or social situations

and much more

Ways to Get Support

In person

I can offer in person therapy from a comfortable and private therapy room in the PL3 area of Plymouth. There is free street parking and a bus service from the city centre that stops 250 meters away. Please contact me for further information.

Mobile - in your own home

If you have mobility or transport issues and you are based in the Plymouth area, but you would like in-person therapy, I offer mobile services so I can come to you for counselling, coaching and hypnotherapy. If you would like a home visit, this can still be arranged but there will be an extra charge for travel. Please contact me for further information about mobile therapy.

Online

For many people, online counselling and coaching is an option they prefer. This could be due to mobility, transport of time issues, or just the convenience of accessing sessions from the comfort of their own home. I use an online video platform which means I can work with clients from anywhere in the UK. Online therapy is proven to be as effective, if not more effective than face-to-face therapy, with important benefits that bring the experience into the modern era. Please contact me for further information about mobile therapy.

Phone, Text or Chat

Another way to engage in counselling and coaching is by mobile phone. I offer phone, text or chat support if in-person therapy is not an option or you just prefer a less intense way to engage in therapy sessions. Please note hypnotherapy is not possible via phone, text or chat.

Please contact Nichola Jean Therapy in Plymouth for more information about working with me or to arrange a free initial telephone or video consultation.

Nichola Jean Therapy

COUNSELLING, COACHING AND HYPNOTHERAPY IN Plymouth & THE SURROUNDING AREAS