FAQ

I work with young people and parents in the NHS and schools.
In private practice presently I do not work with children on their own. I work with parents finding the best way to help their children. Sometimes this might involve children coming with their parents for family meetings.

I trained at the internationally respected Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust in London as a psychodynamic child, adolescent and family therapist. I work in primary and secondary schools, private practice and the NHS.

For six years, I worked at the Tavistock Centre where I worked in a specialist clinic for fostered and adopted children and a clinic for children with criminal or violent behaviour.

I am trained to use VIPP – Video Intervention for Positive Parenting and sensitive discipline, an evidence based technique that uses short video clips of parents and young children playing together.

I have undertaken specialist courses in therapeutic applications of mindfulness, compassion focused therapy, breath-work and yoga.
My yoga teaching training was with the internationally renowned teacher Bridget Woods Kramer, whilst my mindfulness training was at the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice at Bangor University which was started by Mark Williams. I have also trained in therapeutic breathing techniques, neurobiology/neuroscience and compassion focused therapy.

As a professional member of the British Psychoanalytic Council and the Tavistock Society of Psychotherapists, I abide by both organisations’ code of ethics. My work adheres to their strict professional standards. I ensure that I keep up to date with the latest research and training related to my work, as part of my commitment to my own professional development. I continue to study, taking additional courses that might be helpful in my work with people who seek my help.

I am a member of the Board of Trustees of ‘First Years Information and Research’, a parliamentary group established by Frank Field, MP.

I use a range of approaches depending on the difficulty.

Traditional psychodynamic therapy and attachment theory is at the core of my work. These modalities increase awareness of our unconscious or inner world and it is particularly useful for unpicking complex issues that develop in families and other relationships. I take an active interest in the links between child development, attachment theory and neuroscience and applying these findings to my therapeutic work.

I have also had extensive training in mindfulness, breathing techniques, compassion exercises and therapeutic yoga, which are informed by an understanding of how neuroscience can help people.

Many people find their way to therapy because of deep feelings of inadequacy, shame and guilt, resulting in anxiety and depression. Utilising compassion-focused skills, which I teach one to one and in groups, can also be a very helpful part of therapy to grow self-acceptance. Indeed for some people, learning how to give oneself compassion can be a life changing skill. Breathing techniques and mindfulness increases focus and can also be a simple way of bringing more skillfulness to our thinking and actions and to allow ourselves to deeply calm and our nervous systems to rest. This mind-body approach alongside traditional psychotherapy allows the young people, adults and families I work with to take an active part in their therapeutic journey and future. The inter-relationship between the body and mind is being increasingly recognised, with growing evidence that talking therapy and many body-based techniques can have a profound effect on psychological and physical health.

My work involves a mix of parent and family sessions with children, teenagers and parents, depending on what is right for you and your family. I do not presently offer individual 1:1 sessions for children and adolescents.

Sessions last 50 minutes. Assessment sessions will last a little longer.

These are normally once or twice a week. We will agree from the outset our timeframe for working and review this as we go on.

In an initial meeting we can go over any questions you may have and your reasons for considering therapy. This session will help you get a feel for how we could work together.

To schedule an appointment or consultation, please email me: janeorourke@me.com.

No, you do not need a referral, however I am happy to consult with GPs or other health professionals about anyone they are wishing to refer.

Sessions are normally once or twice weekly. We will agree from the outset our timeframe for working and review as appropriate.

My therapeutic work with adults is primarily in their role as parents or carers. However, I work with adults interested in practising yoga and mindfulness as a form of stress and anxiety relief or general flexibility and fitness. This can be 1:1 or as part of a group. Find out more about therapeutic yoga, breathing practices and compassion focussed therapy.