Ms Joumana Jeffers

A conversation with Joumana Jeffers

• What led you to choose psychotherapy or counselling as a profession?

  I initially studied psychology because I was curious about how the mind works and why people think and behave the way they do. I’ve always enjoyed helping people, so moving into counselling felt like a natural path for me.

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional development?

  It’s difficult to narrow it down to just one philosophical approach, as I believe they all have something valuable to offer. I prefer to work eclectically, drawing on different approaches depending on the person and their individual needs.

• Which particular aspects of health or the human journey are you interested in?

  Mental health, of course, along with the ongoing journey of self-awareness and self-discovery, and helping people build the confidence and skills to overcome barriers and take greater control of their lives.

• What methods do you use?

  Areas of Support Include: anxiety and stress, depression and low mood, trauma and PTSD, grief and loss, relationship and family challenges, emotional regulation, confidence and self-esteem, personality disorders, life transitions, and feeling stuck.
  Therapeutic Approaches Used: EMDR - Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) - Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) - mindfulness-based approaches.
  

• When do you think the client will start to feel that progress is being made?

  Every client is different, and everyone has their own experiences. I feel that progress begins when a person starts to understand their own patterns of responding to life’s challenges and develops the skills to manage their emotions and respond to situations in healthier, more helpful ways.

• How has therapy made a difference in your life?

  Therapy—and learning to become a therapist—has changed me in meaningful ways. It’s helped me understand my own patterns and limitations, and it’s deepened my appreciation for the vulnerability we all carry. I’ve seen firsthand how people can draw on extraordinary resilience, even in the most difficult circumstances, and I’m always in awe of that strength. These experiences shape the warm, supportive, and human approach I bring to my practice.

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

  The best part of being a therapist, for me, is seeing people discover strengths they didn’t realise they had. I get to watch someone go from feeling stuck or overwhelmed to slowly finding clarity, confidence, or hope again. Those moments, even the quiet ones, remind me why I do this work.
  What I enjoy most is the connection. Sitting with someone, really hearing them, and creating a space where they feel safe enough to be themselves—it’s incredibly rewarding. I’m always moved by how resilient people can be, and I feel grateful to play a small role in their healing and growth.

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

  I absolutely have “bad hair” days—just like anyone else. I’m human, and I’m not immune to feeling off. But when I’m sitting with a client, my attention shifts completely. The moment we’re in the room together, whatever’s going on for me fades into the background, and my focus is fully on them.

• What do you think is the most significant problem we face, in the world today?

  It’s hard to point to just one “big” problem. Each of us walks our own path, meeting our own angels and demons along the way, and we all respond to them differently. But the shared weight of global challenges—war, poverty, the environment, AI, the cost of living, racism, sexism, violence, and so much more—touches all of us. In the midst of it, many people feel disconnected from their true, simple nature, and that’s something we can collectively recognise and relate to.

• Can you share the name of a book, film, song, event or work of art that inspires you?

  To Kill a Mockingbird - the novel and the film. It just resonates on such a human level. It’s a reminder to hold onto empathy and courage, even in tough situations, and it’s all about seeing the humanity in each other. It’s these everyday values that really inspire me, and I think they speak to all of us.