Hilary Jiggins , BACP

Hilary Jiggins is a counsellor who focuses on practical help for people facing stress, anxiety, trauma and relationship concerns. She works in a straightforward, jargon-free way and aims to collaborate with each person to find what helps them most. Hilary uses kindness and a human approach while adapting techniques to your needs.

Hilary draws on 15 years of experience that began co-facilitating support groups with the charity Mind. She has since worked with multiple charities including As You Are, Cruse Bereavement Care, and Sussex Communities Development Association. That background shapes a flexible practice that blends evidence-informed methods with humanistic care.

In sessions she may use cognitive behavioural techniques to help manage symptoms and build coping strategies. She also uses elements of dialectical behaviour therapy skills training and client-centred ways of working to support emotional regulation and clearer communication. Hilary can introduce routine measures used in NHS practice if you find them helpful, but will adapt work to suit your preferences.

Hilary describes counselling as both short-term therapeutic work and, where useful, longer psychotherapy that looks at life history and patterns. She will be frank if a longer course of work is likely to be more helpful or if a referral to a colleague would better meet your needs. The emphasis is on making practical progress so therapy becomes less necessary over time.

Hilary practises in the United Kingdom and supports people with a wide range of concerns, including women's issues, addictions, grief, sexual and relationship matters, and mood disorders. She holds BACP accreditation and keeps her practice informed by current research and NICE guidance.

How Hilary’s approaches translate to online therapy

Client-centred therapy focuses on listening and responding to you as a whole person. In practice this means sessions where the counsellor reflects your experience and helps you find your own solutions, which can ease self-esteem, relationship and identity concerns.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) combines practical exercises with thought and behaviour tracking to reduce symptoms like anxiety, panic and low mood. It often includes short tasks between sessions to practise new skills and notice changes.

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) skills training offers techniques to manage intense emotions, reduce self-harm risks, and improve interpersonal effectiveness. These skills are useful for coping with strong states and for building steadier routines.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. Hilary will work collaboratively to decide which methods suit your goals and preferences, and can adapt the mix as you progress. She will explain why a suggestion might help and check you are comfortable with the plan.

Online therapy with video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging offers flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation for skills practice and emotional work. Phone sessions can be used when bandwidth is limited or for shorter check-ins. Live chat and messaging suit people who prefer written reflection or want support without being on camera. These options can help fit therapy around work, family life and other commitments.