Jane is an accredited member of the BACP and BPS (British Psychological Society), and registered with AXA, PPP, Vitality and Aviva. Jane qualified in Existential Psychology and Psychotherapy in 2012 and has also trained in EMDR, Attachment Theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples, Schema Therapy, CBT and is a qualified Clinical Supervisor working in private practice and for Poole Community Counselling as our supervisor. Jane has many years experience, working with adult survivors of childhood abuse both for a local charity (Hurting to Healing, and STARS). Jane is one of the co-authors of the book: Counselling Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse: From Hurting to Healing, published in 2017. Jane draws on Attachment theory in her work and is qualified to carry out Adult Attachment Interviews (AAI). Jane is the founder of Poole Community Counselling and offers her wealth of knowledge to our trainee counsellors.

Ben is a qualified and compassionate therapeutic counsellor, with a CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. He previously studied Biology at the University of Bath and is a registered member of the BACP, committed to continuing his professional development and expanding his therapeutic knowledge. Alongside his role as Placement Counsellor Coordinator at Poole Community Counselling, Ben also works in private practice in Dorset. In his role with the organisation, he supports placement counsellors throughout their journey, helping to provide guidance, encouragement and a supportive environment as they develop their counselling skills and experience. Ben also carries out client assessments for the service, meaning he may be the first point of contact for individuals seeking support. With a warm and understanding approach, he aims to make this initial step feel as comfortable and welcoming as possible, helping individuals explore their needs and identify the most appropriate support. Ben integrates knowledge of Internal Family Systems (IFS) into his therapeutic work, with a particular interest in supporting individuals experiencing OCD and anxiety. He takes a warm, collaborative and non-judgemental approach, aiming to create a safe space where people feel heard, understood and able to explore their experiences.

Lilly is a qualified and compassionate therapeutic counsellor and supervisor, specialising in Level 5 Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Level 4 Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling, and as a registered member of the BACP she is committed to continually developing her skills to best support those she works with. In her role as Counselling Lead at Poole Community Counselling, Lilly works closely with the Managing Director, the Placement Counsellor Coordinator, and the team of placement counsellors, supporting them throughout their journey with the organisation. She is also involved in fundraising activities, helping to strengthen and sustain the service for the local community. With a warm and understanding approach, Lilly aims to create a safe and judgement-free space during assessments, recognising that this first step can feel daunting. While she holds a small caseload of clients, her primary focus is on conducting assessments and guiding individuals toward the right support with compassion and clarity.

Emily is an integrative therapeutic counsellor, holding an Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling from Iron Mill College, Exeter, and a BSc (Hons) in Physiology from The University of Edinburgh. She is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) and is committed to ethical practice, continued learning, and providing a safe and supportive experience for everyone accessing the service. As an Assessment Counsellor at Poole Community Counselling, Emily is often one of the first points of contact for individuals seeking support. She carries out initial assessments, taking the time to understand each person’s circumstances, needs and hopes for counselling, before helping to identify the most appropriate support available through the service. Emily recognises that reaching out for counselling can feel daunting, and she aims to make the assessment process feel calm, welcoming and non-judgemental. With a warm and understanding approach, she creates space for individuals to talk openly and at their own pace, without pressure or expectation. Emily brings an integrative perspective to her work and has experience supporting people with a range of difficulties, including anxiety, low self-esteem, trauma, abuse, relationship difficulties, separation and periods of significant change or uncertainty. She values the importance of the therapeutic relationship and approaches each person as an individual, helping them feel heard, understood and supported as they take their first steps towards accessing the right help.