Hilary Jiggins , BACP

Hilary Jiggins adopts a clear, jargon-free approach to therapy, focusing on collaboration and practical progress. She works integratively, drawing on evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) alongside humanistic, person-centered principles to treat each client as an individual and adapt the work to what will genuinely help. Hilary aims to make her role time-limited and purposeful where possible, helping clients reduce distress and move toward the life they wish to lead so that, over time, therapy may no longer be needed.

With a background in medical science, Hilary keeps her practice informed by current research and NICE guidelines and explains the reasoning behind any suggestions so clients understand how and why particular strategies are offered. She uses practical modalities including Solution-Focused work, Motivational Interviewing, CBT techniques and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy skills training, and is willing to employ psychometric measures similar to those used in the NHS if clients find them useful. Where traditional formats like written ‘homework’ are not a good fit, she adapts exercises to be more creative and accessible.

When longer term psychotherapy is appropriate, Hilary offers a relational, exploratory framework that uses the therapeutic relationship to understand how past experiences shape present patterns. She is open and honest about likely timeframes and will refer to colleagues with specialist expertise when needed. Hilary has 15 years of experience, beginning with co-facilitating support groups for the mental health charity Mind, and has since worked with organisations including As You Are, Cruse Bereavement Care and Sussex Communities Development Association, supporting adults, groups, couples and young people. She holds BACP accreditation - membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, the UK professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists.

Integrative therapeutic approaches and online care with Hilary Jiggins

Hilary draws on Client-Centered Therapy, which focuses on listening, empathy and placing the client at the heart of the process so they can explore their own goals and values, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), a structured, evidence-informed approach that helps identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviours to reduce symptoms and improve day-to-day functioning. She also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills training to teach practical strategies for managing intense emotions, improving distress tolerance and enhancing interpersonal effectiveness.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey and Hilary treats that choice as a collaborative process. She works with each person to identify goals, preferences and practical needs, adapting techniques and pacing so the work fits the individual rather than forcing a single model.

Online therapy with Hilary is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging, which provides flexibility for clients balancing work, family or mobility constraints. These formats make it possible to access registered professionals from different locations and to continue therapy in ways that suit scheduling and communication preferences, while maintaining the same clinical approaches that inform her in-person practice.