Jane Cooper
Member Status: Accredited
Member No: NCS18-06535
Location: Bromley
Hi, I'm Jane, an accredited counsellor, with experience working with a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, loss, bereavement, relationship concerns, low self-esteem, confidence issues and personal development and growth. I am currently offering Face to Face sessions in Bromley and online sessions via Zoom or telephone appointments.
I work with adults (individuals and couples) experiencing a range of mental health and emotional difficulties and in addition to working in private practice, I also work at Mind, a large UK mental health charity. Additionally I have experience working in a busy South London Counselling service and a Sussex based hospice.
Life can sometimes feel a struggle and at times we may all feel we need a little help. We may be experiencing a variety of different troubling thoughts, feelings and behaviours, have relationship concerns or simply just have a feeling that things aren’t quite right or things could be better. At these times we may wonder where to go to find help.
As a professional counsellor I am able to offer you a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space to help you begin to understand your problems, free up your energy and help you begin to live your life more fully and authentically.
I work with you by encouraging you to talk about the difficulties and challenges you are experiencing, helping you explore and understand your thinking, feelings, behaviour and relationships with others.
I will listen to you in a warm, compassionate and non-judgemental way so together we can identify and understand the problems you are experiencing.
I will help you explore and clarify the changes you want to make and support you on your journey towards making positive changes in your life. This may include identifying new coping strategies and ways of managing your emotions and difficulties to help improve your wellbeing.
Additionally, I am a qualified personal development coach with experience of coaching individuals in career development and work/stress-related problems. I find this gives me the opportunity to offer solution focused coaching skills within my counselling work if appropriate.
I know it can be a daunting prospect, thinking about contacting a counsellor, and especially so, if you haven’t experienced counselling before. You may not have had the opportunity to talk to anyone about the issues that are troubling you and be wondering what this will be like and if you will feel comfortable speaking to somebody you don’t know. It is very important that you find a counsellor who is the right fit for you.
Some questions you may have are:
1. What questions will I be asked when I first make contact?
When we first speak I will ask you a few questions about yourself and the difficulties you have been experiencing so that I can understand a little more about your concerns and your needs. This is also an opportunity for you to ask me any questions you may have about having counselling. If you would like to go ahead and book an appointment after our initial chat, then we would schedule your first appointment. There is no obligation to book an appointment at this stage.
2. What will happen at my first appointment?
The purpose of our first appointment is to see if you are comfortable with me as your therapist and if we feel we are able to work together. There is no obligation after the first appointment to continue if you feel counselling with me is not right for you.
3. If we decide to work together, what happens next?
If we decide to work together on an ongoing basis then we would have a simple agreement, which covers certain key points including day/time of appointment, confidentiality and cancellation details.
4. How often and how long will sessions last?
Sessions are held the same time and day each week and are 50 minutes in duration.
5. How long will I need / can I have counselling for?
I offer both short and long term counselling. Some clients choose to meet for a few weekly sessions, whilst others, who want to make significant changes in the way they experience their lives, come weekly for a number of months or years.
However long the work may continue, therapy is a significant commitment for both client and therapist.
I aim to get back to any messages within 48 hours (excluding weekends)
I am trained and work within a model called Transactional Analysis (TA).
TA theory is designed to help explore human behaviour, personality and communication and how this has been shaped by our past experiences. Working within TA, I use an integrative approach drawing from cognitive, psychoanalytic, psychodynamic and relational schools of working which enable me to work creatively with my clients depending on their individual needs.
TA for me is about personal growth and development. It is about learning why we do the things we do and experience the difficulties that we have, about examining and understanding these and when we are able to, choosing to make the decision to make changes to improve our lives. It is also about accepting the parts of us that we can’t change and grieving the things we may never have.
TA offers a variety of different models, techniques and tools which are generally simple to understand and use. I sometimes share details of these with my clients if I think they will be helpful and are appropriate for your needs.
I completed advanced TA psychotherapy training during 2021/22 and am currently working towards UKCP psychotherapy accreditation.
My previous work experience includes 20+ years working in NHS management within the mental health and primary care sectors.
