Counselling JCT
Online Counselling & Therapy – Serving Cumbria, Manchester, Lancashire & the North West
When holding everything together starts to feel harder than it used to
You may have spent years being the dependable one.
- The one who copes.
- The one who keeps going.
- The one other people turn to.
And perhaps, for a long time, that worked.
Until it didn't.
Online counselling for women who want to understand what is happening, make sense of what has shaped them, and feel more at home in themselves.
Trauma-informed, relational counselling with Jackie Connaughton, BACP registered counsellor, working with women online throughout the UK.
The Story Beneath™
What if there is more to your story than what is visible on the surface?
We know the story we can see.
- What happened.
- What we did.
- What we survived.
- What we became.
But there is often another story beneath it, the beliefs we learned, the roles we took on, and the ways we learned to cope, protect ourselves and belong.
The Story Beneath™ is the philosophy behind my work.
It begins with a different question:
What has shaped me?
Because sometimes, understanding what lies beneath the way we think, feel and respond can change the way we experience what is happening now.
Counselling
A space to understand what is happening, and what may sit beneath it.
Counselling gives you somewhere to slow down, put things into words and begin to make sense of experiences that may have felt difficult to understand on your own.
We might explore what is happening now.
We might look at what came before.
And, where it feels helpful, we might begin to notice the connections between the two.
There is no expectation that you arrive with a clear explanation.
You don't need to know exactly what is wrong.
You don't need to have the right words.
And you don't need to tell your whole story before you are ready.
We begin where you are.
You might be here because...
- Anxiety or persistent worry has become difficult to manage.
- Grief or loss has changed more than you expected.
- Past experiences continue to affect how you feel, respond or relate.
- Relationships leave you questioning yourself.
- You feel emotionally overwhelmed or depleted.
- You are moving through a significant life transition.
- Your confidence or sense of self has changed.
- You feel disconnected from yourself and want to understand why.
- You may recognise yourself in one of these.
Or perhaps your experience doesn't fit neatly into a list.
It doesn't have to.
How I work
My approach is trauma-informed and relational.
I draw on nervous system awareness, Polyvagal Theory and somatic approaches to understand how our experiences can influence the way we think, feel, relate and respond.
There is no formula for this work.
Your story is your own, and our work is shaped around you,at a pace that feels manageable and without pressure to go further than you are ready for.
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.
Perhaps you're curious about the beliefs you've inherited, the roles you've taken on, the expectations that have shaped you, or parts of yourself you've lost connection with along the way.
Unthread™ is a different way of exploring your story.
Through conversation, creativity, symbolic exercises and gentle reflection, it invites you to explore what you carry, what has shaped you, and what you may want to carry forward.
It is not therapy.
It is a space for curiosity, reflection and reconnection.
Meet Jackie
A counsellor who believes that when things begin to make sense, something can change.
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've worked alongside women navigating grief, trauma, anxiety, major life changes and experiences that can remain difficult to put into words.
My work is trauma-informed and relational, drawing on nervous system awareness, Polyvagal Theory and somatic approaches.
Over the years, I've become less interested in asking:
"What's wrong?"
And far more interested in asking:
"What has shaped you?"
And sometimes, that understanding opens a different way forward.
Begin With a Conversation
You don't have to know exactly what you need.
You don't have to know exactly what you need before you get in touch.
A free 20-minute introductory conversation gives us a chance to talk about what has brought you here, answer any questions and see whether working together feels right.
No commitment.
No pressure.
Just a first conversation.
"Every life deserves to make sense to the person living it."
Jackie Connaughton
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.No.
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.
Begin with a conversation
You don't have to have everything figured out before you get in touch.
Sometimes the first step is simply talking to someone who understands that there may be more to your story than what can be seen on the surface.
Begin with a conversation
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.