PSYCHOTHERAPY + INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS THERAPY

Supporting your growth and wellbeing, in London & online

jennifer-pirtle-trauma-therapy-in-london

JENNIFER PIRTLE, PgDIP, UKCP, BACP

How I work

You might be arriving at therapy feeling stuck, facing a crossroads, weighed down by unresolved pain or grief, or simply wanting to feel more at ease in yourself. You're looking for a collaborative, warm, and honest space to explore these patterns — with gentle challenge when it's useful.

My approach is depth-oriented, focusing on the emotional patterns formed by early experience rather than quick fixes or surface-level solutions.

I work mainly with Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), which helps you connect with and heal the different parts of yourself — especially those carrying pain or protection — building self-awareness, inner strength, and self-compassion.

As an Integrative Psychotherapist, I also draw on Psychodynamic, Person-Centred, Gestalt, Transpersonal, and Existential approaches. Creative methods such as imagery, dreams, or drawing may support your process depending on your needs.

A bit about me

I'm originally from the US and have made the UK my home for the past 25 years. Before becoming a therapist, I worked as a journalist and magazine editor, founded an events company, and led entrepreneurial ventures. Those years gave me firsthand experience of the pressures that come with creative and high-performance careers - the drive to achieve, the weight of responsibility, and the toll it takes on wellbeing. Growing up in a military family, I also know what it means to be uprooted, to move between cities and countries, and to start over.

I now split my time between London, Surbiton, and working online -- seeing clients in person at both locations and remotely across the rest of the week. Running, paddle-boarding, and tending my allotment keep me grounded.These experiences shape how I work: I understand the pressures of high expectations, the challenges of transition, and what it takes to embrace change.

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    • UKCP, Full Clinical Member (No. 2011182611)

    • BACP, Registered Member (No. 00970719)

    • Diploma of Clinical Supervision, Relational Change (Expected Dec. 2026)

    • Internal Family Systems: Advanced Certification (Expected 2026)

    • Internal Family Systems, Level 2: Shame, Anxiety & Depression

    • Internal Family Systems, Level 1: Mastering the Skills of IFS

    • Post-Graduate Diploma, Integrative Psychotherapy + Counselling (SCoPEd level 7), CCPE, London

    • Foundation in Psychotherapy & Counselling, Regents University London

    • MS, Journalism, Columbia University, New York


    Ongoing Professional Development (Partial List):

    • Applying IFS to Complex Clinical Issues (Richard Schwartz, et al.)

    • Reconnecting Self-Like Parts to Their Essence (Paul Neustadt)

    • IFS Interventions for Healing the Trauma-Addiction Cycle (Cece Sykes)

    • IFS Skills to Address Post-Traumatic Shame (Frank Anderson)

    • IFS for Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Addiction (Frank Anderson)

    • The IFS Clinician’s Guide: Restoring Self, Healing Trauma, and Deepening Therapy (Frank Anderson)

    • Unburdening the Exiles in IFS (Einat Bronstein)

    • IFS and Polyvagal Theory (Alexis Rothman)

    • Integrating IFS into the Transpersonal Integrative Approach (Ann Oldknow)

    • ADHD and Autism in the Therapy Room (Aspire)

    • Sand Tray Therapy (Catherine Bishop)


    Clinical Placements and Experience:

    • NHS Community Mental Health Team, Islington

    • Fresh Start Psychotherapy

    • Headstrong Counselling

    • Maytree Suicide Respite Centre

    • Choices Islington (Supporting unplanned pregnancy and pregnancy loss)