Hilary Jiggins , BACP

Hilary Jiggins presents a clear, down-to-earth approach to therapy that avoids unnecessary jargon and focuses on practical collaboration. She works integratively, combining evidence-based methods such as cognitive behavioural therapy - an approach widely used in the National Health Service - with humanistic, person-focused care that treats each client as an individual deserving of kindness and understanding. Hilary’s background in medical science informs her preference for up-to-date, research-informed practice and for explaining the reasoning behind suggestions so clients can feel confident that their time together is well spent.

Her stated aim in short-term work is to be useful and, ultimately, no longer needed - prioritising efficient and effective steps that begin to reduce distress and move clients toward the life they want. She draws on Solution-Focused methods, Motivational Interviewing, CBT techniques and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy skills training, and she adapts formats to suit each person. Where helpful, psychometric tools similar to those used by the NHS can track progress, but Hilary also offers more creative, non-traditional ways of working for people who prefer to avoid conventional paperwork or homework.

When the work benefits from longer-term exploration, Hilary can move into a more relational psychotherapy framework that uses the therapeutic relationship to understand how past experiences shape present life. She is open about when a longer commitment may be needed and will suggest referral to colleagues with specialist expertise if that would better serve a client. Hilary began her therapeutic work co-facilitating support groups with the mental health charity Mind 15 years ago and has since worked as a counsellor for As You Are, Cruse Bereavement Care, and Sussex Communities Development Association. She has worked with adults, groups, couples and young people. She holds BACP, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy membership, which is the professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists in the UK.

Integrative therapeutic approaches for online care

Hilary draws on Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to shape online work in ways that suit each person. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating a respectful, non-judgemental space where the client’s own priorities guide the pace and focus of sessions - this is especially helpful for relationship, attachment and self-esteem concerns. CBT offers practical tools to identify and change unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns, making it useful for anxiety, depression, sleep and eating difficulties. DBT skills training emphasizes emotion regulation, distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness, which can be valuable for intense emotions, self-harm urges and relationship challenges.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and Hilary treats this as a collaborative conversation. She will work with clients to match methods to their goals, preferences and life context, adjusting techniques over time so the work remains relevant and effective.

Online therapy with Hilary is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging, allowing flexibility to fit therapy around work, family and daily life. These options make regular contact more accessible and allow therapists and registered professionals to maintain continuity of care even when in-person meetings are not possible.