Therapy Resources

Anna Jurek

Anna has a vast experience in working with adolescents and challenges both for young people and their parents that these period of transition brings.

In her approach to children and adolescents, Anna draws on person-centred and play therapy to discover the most adequate way to work with the clients’ difficulties. Anna offers a space in which a trustworthy relationship can be built, allowing a sense of safety to grow. Working together at the young person’s pace, difficult and confusing feelings, thoughts and behaviour can be explored. Using creative work and play provides a gentle and profound person centred avenue for expression, while the counselling relationship helps insight, self-awareness and self-care to develop. In her work with older children and adolescents Anna also uses techniques from a cognitive behavioural therapy, solution focused therapy, neuroscience and a mindfulness approach and teach her clients techniques helping them to understand and cope with their difficulties, especially anxiety. 

As well as meeting clients in a private setting, Anna is currently working both in primary and secondary schools for Place2Be counselling children on a long-term basis. She works in a collaborative manner, engaging with families to gain a full understanding of the difficulties, and determine the most effective way forward. Counselling is based on one-to-one sessions with a child or a young person; it can also include sessions just for parents helping them to understand their child’s needs. Please also note that parents and carers can expect to receive a free initial telephone consultation, prior to their child’s session. 

Scott Houston

Scott’s talking therapy approach offers empathy, understanding, is non-judgemental and is conducted in an environment that is confidential and safe as thoughts, feelings, relationships, family history and past traumas or deficits are explored sensitively to make sense of these issues so that the client feels relief from their distress and once again has greater control of their own life.

Scott draws upon different schools of psychotherapy to establish how the past might be impacting the present and how current issues in private or working life may be causing difficulties or distress. He works relationally, placing the client at the heart of the process, and it is this dual relationship that can work as a transformative force for change, growth and healing to help the client recover from whatever problems are troubling them.

The therapeutic relationship that the client and himself create, together, can be a source of support and comfort, while providing a place in which to make sense of these issues, challenge perceptions, and highlight unhelpful behavioural and thought patterns, so that new ways of relating can be learnt and ultimately allow an authentic self to enjoy living again.

Scott holds a life experience of feeling different and belonging to a minority group and has used this knowledge and his training to volunteer and work for LGBTQ organisations in dealing with a wide range of problems, especially those within the LGBTQ community, around sex, sexuality, identity, addiction, anxiety, depression, shame and self-esteem.

Jennifer Ofori

Jennifer Ofori UKCP Accredited, (MBACP) is a qualified and fully accredited counselling psychotherapist who has gained experience working in private, voluntary educational and public sectors- which includes her work: for an IAPT/NHS service offering counselling to clients on a short term basis.

As a registered and accredited counselling psychotherapist she currently works in private practice with both adults and members of the younger generation (aged 7+). She has extensive experience working with adults and members of the younger generation with depression and/or anxiety, behavioural issues, as well as issues relating to the family. She has also gained experience volunteering for HRH The Duchess of Cambridge patron organisation: The Place2Be, counselling children on a long-term basis. Please also note that when working with members of the younger generation parents, can expect to receive a free initial telephone consultation, prior to their child’s session.

As an integrative existential humanistic practitioner, Jennifer works from an existential base, encouraging her clients to gain greater meaning of their experiences, thoughts, feelings and behaviours, in a creative and collaborative way. Jennifer recognizes the importance of continuing her professional development and is currently in the process of completing her doctoral research project with Middlesex University. This is due to be completed by the end of this academic year.

Emma Swaisland

It is perfectly normal to experience some level of distress – we wouldn’t be human otherwise – but there are times when we can feel overwhelmed or vulnerable and our thoughts, emotions, and behaviour trouble us in unhelpful and sometimes destructive ways. As your therapist, Emma will help you share your problems and gain perspective about the things that are troubling you; identify what might be stopping you from functioning well, reaching your potential, or enjoying healthy relationships; and explore what could work to improve your situation. 

Emma holds a Masters degree in Counselling Psychotherapy from Roehampton University, and is a member of the BACP (British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy).  As an integrative therapist, she draws from a mix of humanistic and cognitive behavioural therapeutic approaches depending on the needs and preferences of her clients, the issues they bring and their previous experience of therapy, if relevant.  Her aim is to support you to safely examine your experience and feelings, learn strategies for coping, explore your options for change and adapt to the things you perhaps cannot change. 

Emma has experience working across a range of services in the voluntary, NHS and private sectors.  Prior to training in psychotherapy, Emma worked for over 20 years in the corporate sector where she managed teams and mentored colleagues and students.  She has a good understanding of the pressures of working life, particularly the balance between the professional and the personal, the public and the private.  Emma has worked with clients to explore a range of issues including depression, panic & anxiety; addiction; low confidence and self-esteem; relationship difficulties; career & life choices; pregnancy and fertility issues; bereavement & loss; and recovery from trauma or abuse. Emma works with clients both short and longer-term; she is experienced in both and what works best for you is something to discuss during your first session. Reduced rates are available to students and those on a low income, please enquire.