Jenny Hodsdon
at
Meadows Counselling
Why I became a Therapist
​Learning
My passion for talking therapies started when I studied Psychology at University. My final year option covered child development and how important it is that we are nurtured by our parents or other significant carers. I learnt about the things we need in order to thrive in life as we move into adulthood, and what happens to us when we don't. It also resonated with my own upbringing.
This important theory underpins a lot of the work I do.
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Next Steps
I accessed counselling and it helped me to understand how what had happened in my childhood meant I was susceptible to anxiety, panic attacks and periods of low mood.
It was also pointed out to me, during my sessions, that I had experienced a number of Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs). Again, this is something I find is often present in the timelines of my clients.
Sometimes we can believe that we are 'stuck' or cannot change or improve things for ourselves. I had counselling with some great counsellors, started to learn about myself and I no longer feel a slave to my anxiety.
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​Gaining Self Awareness
Having self-awareness means that things start to make more sense; to drop into place, a bit like a jigsaw. Self awareness helped me to see that we can unlearn patterns of behaviour and start to change.
​​I realised that being finally listened to by someone who is warm, empathic and non-judgemental can feel immensely healing and this is what I offer you should you decide to work with me.
What this means for you
I started my private practice so that I could help others to discover more about themselves especially if low mood, low self esteem or chronic, high-functioning anxiety were making daily life a struggle. and particularly if this is connected to a difficult childhood.
I have expanded my practice over the years so that I also see clients who have concerns related to grief or loss, especially if this involved the psychological loss of a person due to brain injury, memory loss, dementia, addiction or severe mental illness, rather than a physical loss. This type of loss of a person is called Ambiguous Loss and is something many of us encounter in the course of our lives without it being recognised, by society or even ourselves.
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