Jacqueline BentleyJungian Analysis, Psychotherapy and Short Term Counselling in West London

The past two years have been difficult for all of us. The pandemic itself and all its ramifications is something we are all still struggling to get used to. It has jolted our previous held assumptions about life, and how to live it. We are all still dealing with high levels of anxiety and life events continue to impinge on us relentlessly.

Counselling is often about something that has happened to derail the lives we have been happily pursuing:
a bereavement,
work stress,
grief
health issues
a relationship issue,
anger,
depression,
career issues
identity crisis


Some of us feel that that we have not been living our lives to the full; some of us even feel that we have never quite found ourselves. This is where
JUNGIAN ANALYSIS and PSYCHOTHERAPY are appropriate.
Jungian Analysts - Carl Jung called us Analytical Psychologists - are interested in all the ways we communicate and know things. This means the things that are just out of awareness too. As well as talking about our lives, we also look at dreams, images and symbols to help us decode what our unconscious is trying to help us know. This is often really interesting and fun - and to be honest, sometimes difficult. But we go at a pace that feels safe to you as it is important that you trust the work we are doing together. Trusting might well be a really important issue to look at. Most of us have trouble with trust, we have felt betrayed at times in the past, and it takes time to feel secure. We will use our relationship as a sort of mini experiment - how we are together will give us information about how you are in relationships out in the world. One of the big differences is that when the going gets tough, as it does in any relationship, we stick in there. We have made a commitment to one another to use what happens - misunderstandings, getting angry, feeling dependent for a while. Because we keep going and continue to try and unravel the ball of wool that is ourselves, there is the opportunity for tremendous insight and growth.

I have a special interest in working with:
ADULT WOMEN WITH ASPERGERS/HIGH FUNCTIONING AUTISM. Those of us over 30 yrs old, let alone over 50 yrs old will never have considered it, or had it suggested to us as children. It may be only when our children or grandchildren start to be diagnosed, that we wonder - does that apply to me too? The understanding of asperger's in women has also changed drastically in recent years. If you feel it might apply to you, do come along and discuss the possibility. Most people find it a huge relief to understand that there is nothing wrong with them - they are just wired differently!

Do you live life on your own to large extent?
Jonathon Franzen in his book 'Crossroads' talks about, 'the lives of those who wake up every morning and find the courage to get out of bed...'
I am impacted by how different life is for people who face life largely on their own, without family and perhaps without a large circle of friends. I have come to understand that this experience of life is hugely different and hugely demanding. We are inundated by a media image that everyone has friends and relations in their everyday life. The reality is that many do not. This demands a constant self assessment; a constant questioning; daily stress about decision making. Society almost vilifies those who chose/accept life on their own, perhaps threatened by their ability to do so. But perhaps it is not that there is 'something wrong' with us if we chose life alone. My experience is that it demands strength and self acceptance.

SKYPE/ZOOM SESSIONS
I can see you here in my consulting room or virtually. Whatever we decide is best.
I am also happy to discuss working with Skype or zoom if you feel unable to get to my consulting room or live further away.


I am committed to providing counselling and psychotherapy and analysis in a safe, confidential and non-judgemental environment. I belong to various professional associations - the Association of Jungian Analysts (AJA), the IAAP, the UKCP and I am a senior member of BACP. I abide by their stringent codes of ethics.


I offer both day and evening appts on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays:
-Brentford, West London which is in easy reach of Chiswick, Acton, Ealing and Sunbury. Close to South Ealing Station on the Picadilly Line, and served by a number of buses, 65, 237, 267, from Shepherds Bush, Gunnersbury, Chiswick, and Hounslow. There is easy parking.

'Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing
there is a field. I'll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass
the world is too full to talk about.'
Rumi, A Great Wagon.