Counselling JCT
Online Counselling & Therapy – Serving Cumbria, Manchester, Lancashire & the North West
Helping Women Make Sense of Themselves
Online counselling for women across the UK, with a trauma-informed, relational approach.
BACP registered counsellor supporting women with anxiety, grief, trauma, relationship difficulties, emotional overwhelm and the lasting impact of life's experiences.
There Comes a Point When What Once Felt Manageable No Longer Does.
Perhaps you have spent years holding everything together.
Caring for everyone else.
Being dependable.
Coping because there never seemed to be another option.
Then something shifts.
Perhaps grief changes you. A relationship leaves you questioning yourself. Anxiety arrives without warning. Old experiences begin to surface in ways you don't understand. Or perhaps there is simply a quiet feeling that you've lost sight of who you are.
You may know what is happening. Or you may simply know that something feels different.
You might find yourself reacting in ways you don't quite understand, carrying more than you used to, or wondering why something that seems as though it should be manageable feels so difficult.
Sometimes the question becomes:
"Why am I like this?"
I believe there is another question worth asking:
"What has shaped me?"
Because when we begin to understand what sits beneath the way we think, feel, respond and relate, things that once felt confusing can begin to make sense.
Not because the past disappears.
But because you begin to understand yourself differently.
The Story Beneath™
What if there is more to your story than what is visible on the surface?
Most of us know the visible story of our lives.
The events that happened. The people who influenced us. The choices we made. The things we achieved.
But beneath that visible story, there is often another one.
The experiences that shaped us. The beliefs we learned. The roles we took on. The ways we learned to cope, protect ourselves and belong.
The Story Beneath™ is the philosophy behind my work.
At the heart of it is a simple question:
“What has shaped me?”
Because when we understand ourselves more fully, we can begin to see possibilities that weren't visible before.
Counselling
Gentle, thoughtful therapy for women who want to understand themselves as well as feel better.
Counselling offers a confidential space to explore whatever has brought you here, while gently making sense of the experiences that may have shaped you.
Women contact me for many different reasons, including:
- Anxiety and persistent worry
- Grief, bereavement and loss
- Trauma and complex trauma
- Relationship difficulties
- Childhood experiences that continue to affect adult life
- Feeling overwhelmed or emotionally depleted
- Life transitions and changing identity
- Low confidence and self-worth
- Feeling disconnected from yourself
You may recognise yourself in one of these experiences, or in several.
You don't need to have everything worked out before you begin.
You don't need the right words.
You don't need to know exactly what needs to change.
And you don't need to prove that things are "bad enough" to deserve support.
Sometimes the first step is simply having somewhere to understand what is happening.
My work is trauma-informed and relational, drawing on nervous system awareness and somatic approaches, with an understanding of how our experiences influence the way we think, feel, relate and respond.
There is no pressure to tell your whole story in the first session.
We begin where you are.
Unthread™
For the things women carry that were never fully named.
You don't have to be struggling to want to understand yourself more deeply.
Sometimes there comes a point when you become curious about the things you carry, the beliefs you've inherited, the roles you've taken on, the expectations that have shaped you, or the parts of yourself you may have lost connection with along the way.
Unthread™ creates space to explore those things outside counselling.
Through conversation, creativity, symbolic exercises and gentle reflection, Unthread™ invites women to explore what they carry, what has shaped them, and what they may want to carry forward.
It is not therapy.
It is a different way of exploring your story and reconnecting with yourself.
Meet Jackie
I know what it is to carry more than you can name
I'm Jackie Connaughton, a BACP registered counsellor based in Cumbria, working online with women throughout the UK.
For more than twenty-five years I have worked alongside people navigating grief, trauma, anxiety, major life changes and the challenges that often remain hidden beneath the surface.
My approach is trauma-informed and relational, drawing on nervous system awareness, Polyvagal Theory and somatic approaches, while recognising that every woman's experiences are unique.
Over the years I have become less interested in asking what is wrong with people and far more interested in understanding what has shaped them.
Because when we understand ourselves more fully, we often discover possibilities we couldn't previously see.
Every woman deserves to feel heard. Every woman deserves to feel understood. Most of all, every woman deserves to understand herself.
Begin With a Conversation
Finding the right counsellor matters.
You may have been thinking about counselling for some time.
You may feel unsure whether now is the right moment, or whether counselling is even what you need.
You don't have to be certain before you get in touch.
I offer a free 20-minute introductory conversation where we can talk about what has brought you here, answer any questions you may have and explore whether working together feels like the right fit.
There is no obligation.
No pressure.
Just a first conversation.
Online Counselling Across the UK
Although I'm based in Cumbria, I work online with women throughout the UK.
Online counselling allows us to create a private, consistent space for you wherever you are.
Every life deserves to make sense to the person living it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do you offer counselling?
I offer online counselling for women throughout the UK.
Although I am based in Cumbria, online counselling allows me to work with women wherever they are.I offer online counselling for women throughout the UK.
How does online counselling work?
Sessions take place online using a secure video platform.
Many women are surprised by how connected and comfortable online counselling can feel.
Being able to access counselling from your own home can create a sense of privacy and ease, while still allowing us to build a meaningful therapeutic relationship.
Online counselling can also make it easier to access ongoing support without the need to travel.
What happens in the first session?
The first session is a chance for us to begin understanding what has brought you to counselling.
We will talk about what you would like support with, what you hope might be different and what feels important for us to understand.
There is no expectation that you share everything straight away.
You don't need to tell your whole story in the first session.
You don't need to tell your whole story in the first session.
We begin where you are.
How often will we meet?
Sessions are usually weekly or fortnightly, depending on what feels most supportive for you.
Some women come for a shorter period during a particular challenge or transition. Others choose longer-term counselling to explore their experiences in greater depth.
Together, we find the pace that feels right for you.
How much does counselling cost?
£75 | 60-minute counselling session
All counselling sessions are 60 minutes and cost £75.
Before beginning counselling, I offer a free 20-minute introductory conversation, so that we can talk about what has brought you here and whether working together feels like the right fit.
There is no obligation to continue.
If we decide to work together, ongoing sessions are arranged at a pace that feels appropriate for you, usually weekly or fortnightly.
What issues can counselling help with?
Women come to counselling for many different reasons, including:
- Anxiety and persistent worry
- Grief, bereavement and loss
- Trauma and complex trauma
- Relationship difficulties
- Childhood experiences that continue to affect adult life
- Feeling overwhelmed or emotionally depleted
- Life transitions and changing identity
- Low confidence and self-worth
- Feeling disconnected from yourself
You don't need to have a specific diagnosis or a single reason for seeking support.
Sometimes knowing that something no longer feels right is enough of a reason to begin.
Do I need to talk about difficult experiences straight away?
No.
Counselling is not about forcing yourself to revisit things before you are ready.
We work at your pace.
Together we create a space where experiences can be explored when and how they feel appropriate.
You are never expected to tell me more than you feel ready to share.
What is your approach?
My approach is trauma-informed and relational, drawing on nervous system awareness, Polyvagal Theory and somatic approaches.
I believe our responses make sense once we understand what has shaped them. This belief guides everything I do.
Rather than simply focusing on what you are experiencing now, we can gently explore the experiences and relationships that may have influenced how you think, feel, respond and relate today.
Is counselling the same as Unthread™?
No.
They are connected through The Story Beneath™ philosophy, but they are different offerings.
Unthread™ is a reflective experience for women who want to explore their stories, beliefs, experiences, identity and the things they carry, and consider what they want to carry forward.
It is not therapy and does not replace counselling.
If you are unsure which feels more appropriate for you, you are welcome to ask about this during your introductory conversation.
Still wondering if counselling is right for you?
You don't have to be certain. You can simply start with a conversation.
If something here feels familiar, or you have been wondering whether counselling could help you understand what you're experiencing, you can begin with a free 20-minute introductory conversation.
No pressure. No obligation.
Just a chance to talk
Your next step
Begin With a Conversation
You don't have to know exactly what you need.
A free 20-minute introductory conversation is simply a chance to talk, ask questions and see whether working together feels right.
No commitment.
No pressure
Get in touch
Contact Jackie
Email: jackie@counsellingjct.co.uk
Phone: 07432 373270
You can also leave a message using the contact form below.
All enquiries are answered within 24 hours and handled in confidence.
Find Me Online
Counselling JCT | Online Counselling for Women Across the UK
Helping women understand what has shaped them, make sense of where they are now, and consider what comes next.
Important Information
The Unthread programme is designed to offer space for personal reflection, insight, and growth. It is not a form of therapy or counselling and is not a substitute for professional support.
If you feel you need therapeutic care, we encourage you to reach out to a qualified counsellor or therapist.
While every effort is made to create a safe and supportive environment, participating in Unthread is at your own discretion, and you engage in the activities with awareness of your own wellbeing.