Jodie Brierley

I am a dedicated and passionate integrative therapist, dually registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP), the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). I have experience supporting individuals, families and young adults from diverse background. Through a combination of academic training and varied clinical experience, I have developed strong therapeutic skills and solid foundation in evidence-based practice.

I am committed to continuous professional development and actively seek opportunities to expand and enhance my skills and quality of care.

Founder and Counsellor at SENTRA COUNSELLING (2026-01 – Present)

• Provide individual counselling to adults through an integrative approach.
• Deliver online counselling services, supporting accessibility and continuity of care for clients across different locations in the UK and South Africa.
• Manage all aspects of private practice operations, including client scheduling, documentation, risk assessment, and professional compliance.
• Conduct comprehensive initial assessments, collaboratively setting therapeutic goals and developing tailored intervention plans to meet each client's needs.
• Engage in ongoing clinical supervision to support reflective practice, ethical decision making and continuous professional development within private practice.

Mental Health Practitioner at MIND (2023-12 – 2025-11)

• I worked collaboratively with clients through a structured six-week programme, utilising Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and self-help tools. I empowered clients to actively engage with CBT resources, develop their skills and apply these techniques independently, fostering long-term mental well-being.
• Identified and supported clients experiencing early signs of anxiety, depression, grief, low self-esteem, stress, loneliness and anger, providing practical coping strategies.
• I proactively assess and manage potential risks, implementing safeguarding measures to ensure client safety and well-being throughout their journey. For cases requiring further support, I coordinate referrals to specialised mental health services, ensuring a seamless and comprehensive care pathway.
• Contribute to the development of a new counselling service at HFEH Mind, including recruitment and training of volunteer counsellors, triage and assessment of clients and allocation of clients to appropriate counsellors to ensure safe and effective care.

SEN Teaching Assistant at ACADEMICS (2023-10 – 2023-12)

• I provided comprehensive teaching and learning support to students, adapting lesson content from the national curriculum to cater to the diverse age groups, abilities, and learning styles within the classroom.
• I supported students with a wide range of educational and behavioural needs, including challenging behaviours, Autism, ADHD, communication difficulties, physical disabilities, and mental health challenges. My approach fostered an inclusive and supportive learning environment that encouraged every student's growth.
• Additionally, I participated in weekly supervision sessions with Clinical Psychologists, engaging in regular discussions with both the clinic's Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Psychologist to further enhance my clinical skills and understanding.

Honourary Assistant Psychologist at ANDY RESEARCH CLINIC (2023-02 – 2023-08)

• I successfully completed the clinical placement requirements for my Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, fulfilling the necessary clinical hours while gaining valuable hands-on experience in a professional setting.
• I administered diagnostic assessments for young people, focusing on the evaluation and diagnosis of anxiety and depression, contributing to the development of accurate and effective treatment plans.
• Additionally, I participated in weekly supervision sessions with Clinical Psychologists, engaging in regular discussions with both the clinic's Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Psychologist to further enhance my clinical skills and understanding.

Trauma Counsellor at THE JOHANNESBURG INSTITUE OF SOCIAL SERVICES (2021-04 – 2022-08)

• I delivered short-term individual and family counselling, providing in-person sessions tailored to address immediate needs and offer focused support.
• I developed holistic, sustainable treatment plans in collaboration with clients, ensuring each plan was personalised to promote long-term well-being. These plans were designed to be both effective and adaptable, considering each client's unique circumstances.

Mental Health Counsellor at HEADWAY GAUTENG (2020-08 – 2021-09)

• I worked collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to deliver comprehensive psychological support to clients with traumatic and acquired brain injuries, ensuring holistic and client-centered care.
• I designed and facilitated workshops for the Headway community, focusing on brain injury recovery, effective coping strategies, and mental health awareness.
• Additionally, I led an online support group for Headway members, fostering a safe and supportive space for shared experiences, peer connection, and mutual encouragement.
• I maintained detailed client case notes and participated in regular supervision sessions, supporting accurate progress tracking and ongoing professional development.

Trauma Counsellor at TEARS FOUNDATION (2019-02 – 2020-06)

• I delivered trauma-informed counselling to survivors of abuse through telephone, online, and in-person sessions, offering compassionate, client-centered support tailored to individual needs.
• I provided face-to-face counselling that fostered a safe and non-judgmental environment, helping clients process traumatic experiences, build resilience, and develop healthy coping strategies.
• I oversaw comprehensive case management, including ongoing assessment of client needs, coordination of care, and making timely and appropriate referrals to specialised services to ensure continuity of support.
• Additionally, actively engaged in crisis intervention and risk management, responding effectively to high-risk situations with sensitivity and urgency, while implementing safeguarding protocols to prioritise client safety and well-being.

School Counsellor at THE JOHANNESBURG PARENT & CHILD COUNSELLING CENTRE (2018-06 – 2020-01)

• I provided comprehensive psychological support to children dealing with mental health challenges and learning disabilities, ensuring they received the specialised assistance required for their well-being.
• I actively participated in crisis intervention and risk management strategies, responding effectively to urgent needs and ensuring timely support.
• I managed client case notes and engaged in weekly supervision sessions to continuously improve service delivery and enhance the quality of care provided.

Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology – University of Reading (2022-09 – 2023-09)

Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Psychology – South African College of Applied Psychology (2020-02 – 2021-11)

Honours in Psychology – University of South Africa (2017-02 – 2018-02)

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – University of Witwatersrand (2014-03 – 2016-11)