Jess joined the STEPS team in December 2017 as a Rehab Assistant and developed her role in exploring the benefits of mindfulness and relaxation for clients. Jess completed her Advanced Diploma in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy in 2019 which combines psychotherapy with hypnosis in a collaborative way. The therapy is short-term and goal-focused which incorporates positive psychology principles and practices helping clients to instigate change by constructing solutions rather than focusing on problems. The idea that the client has all the resources within them allows them to feel more in control in a time when their lives often feel the exact opposite. Within trance these changes and solutions are more readily adopted by the subconscious mind.
Sessions are tailored to each client and bespoke recordings/scripts created to make clients feel comfortable and safe. Other techniques such as CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy), NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming), Mindfulness and ACT (Acceptance and Compassion Therapy) are also used to help clients gain skills and resources they need to make positive changes in their lives. The therapy can be used to treat depression, anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD, sleep disorders, IBS, chronic pain/nerve pain, phantom limb pain, self-esteem and low confidence, phobias, weight loss.
The recent introduction of a new collaborative therapy Acu-Hypno which combines the two therapeutic modalities of acupuncture and hypnosis. Recent studies have shown that hypnosis is more powerful when combined with acupuncture and the two complement each other in a powerful way, providing solutions for pain management, emotional rebalance and sleep issues.
Jess is developing mindfulness groups for clients and family members to offer everyday skills for living more present and mindfully and has been incorporating the use of VR technology to her sessions to further improve the emotional wellbeing of clients through visualisation and relaxation.
Jess's father made a full recovery from a serious brain aneurysm when she was 16, so becoming part of the team at STEPS has been a real insight into his and others rehabilitation journeys.
Outside of work Jess enjoys reading, yoga, going to music festivals with her family and anywhere there is sun and a beach. Has a weakness for period dramas, country houses and good food.