I’m Dr Jean Penman
More about me
My attributes and experience: I have a senior professional accreditation and abide by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) quality standards for safe, ethical practice. The therapy tools I use include brief dynamic therapy approaches (valuing emotional and physical reactions) with the occasional suggestion of homework. I listen to what matters to you, which may or may not come from past experiences and adjust my approach according to your need. I am open to reflect with you on any existential or spiritual concerns that may emerge. Occasionally, we may identify physical symptoms which require a self-referral to a GP in tandem with our work.
Your attributes: You may have been searching for the right kind of individual, couple or professional support for some time. You may be good at seeming fine, at least on the surface, functioning and able. However, you may have underlying issues that you rarely talk about to anyone and in quieter moments know that you need help.
How I work and why: My skill lies in working respectfully and confidentially with you at your pace to understand your situation. We may link the relationship between body symptoms and emotional processes to understand repeating patterns that make life more stressful than it needs to be.
We work together using your innate strengths and life experiences to achieve the realistic goals for change that you are seeking. As we make progress using a focused approach this can offer an opportunity to grow in self-awareness and the ability to value who you are. Change for the better is possible if you can make time and space for your personal therapy, couple therapy or your clinical supervision to become effective. It can be challenging, but clients tell me it’s more than worth it when an experience of change for the better begins to be felt.
I offer a free 15 minute conversation to see if we can work together.
Testimonials
The therapy process doesn’t have to take years. Many of my NHS short-term clients attest to this over 6-12
sessions:
‘I opened up without realising it. It’s changed my life.’
(aged over 25, 2020)
‘…safe space, no judgement, supportive and constructive. Incredibly helpful and positive process which has allowed me to make changes’
(under 25, March 2020)
‘Responsive, compassionate’
(over 25, Jan 2020)
‘Very good at getting to the root of the problem’ (under 25, Jan 2020)
‘Great communication, friendly, helpful, approachable, very knowledgeable’
(over 25, Jan 2020)
‘It helped a lot to talk to someone in complete confidentiality my darkest secrets. I never thought I would feel happy again a year ago. I know now that talking therapy can help.’
(over 25 May, 2020)
What happens next?
If you would like to contact me please fill in the form below.
I will write back to you with the offer of a free, booked by agreement, 15-minute telephone consultation to discuss your needs and fees.
I offer a choice of confidential online or face-to-face consultations. Available times will be advised.
Once you have explored my website content, if you feel that I may be the right person to support you on your journey, please get in touch
Hope Valley
Hope Valley shown here is a real place in Derbyshire, England. Family connections make this area in the Peak District a favourite place. Living in a valley means there are heights to climb. Its geography can stand as a metaphor for the challenges of a therapeutic process; the highs and lows and the sense of achievement over time.
Your therapy journey
- Following your free 15 minute consultation there will be an agreed initial contract of 6 sessions in which we will seek to explore your concerns
- These initial sessions will be held weekly or fortnightly
- You will take ownership of the process which I will facilitate to the best of my ability
- You may feel like giving up and of course, we can talk this through. You can stop and turn back at any time, but please be open to talking about it
- Together we will focus on your strengths and take care of your vulnerabilities
- We will then review progress and you are free to decide whether you wish to continue
Professional bodies, training and education
Member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy Senior Accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist
Member of the British Society of Sexual Medicine and the European Society of Sexual Medicine
Group Experiential Skills Training
Over the years I have delivered group training and education to:
trainee medical registrars, specialist nurses, physiotherapists, counsellors, psychotherapists, clinical psychologists, midwives and counsellors. I have delivered lecture presentations nationally and locally on working with sexual difficulties and addressing other persistent physical symptoms more effectively.
Continuing Professional Development
I also undertake regular continuing practice development updates, including subjects such as eating disorders, childhood and adult trauma, sexual abuse and sexual violence, sexual dysfunction, sexuality, grief and loss…
Education
2010-2016 Professional Doctorate (DProf.): Engaging with persistent ‘medically unexplained’ physical symptoms in healthcare, Institute of Health Research, University of Bedfordshire, 2010-2016.
2000-2002 Master of Science (MSc.) The psychodynamics of human development (Jungian stream),
Birkbeck College, University of London with the British Association of Psychotherapists (BAP).
1998-to 2010 Continuing supervision and training in group leader skills-ongoing monthly attendance of Balint- Group Leader’s Seminar
1998 Clinical Supervision Module (level 3), University of Luton (over 1 academic year)
1996 Clinical Supervision Course (4 days residential), Health Visitor Association
1993- to 2010 Supervised specialist psychotherapeutic-practice – ongoing monthly attendance of Advanced Balint -Psychosexual Awareness Seminar for continued development: ‘research/training/supervision’
1986-1988 Introduction to Psychosexual Counselling for Nurses (1 year part-time) English National Board 985 with 2nd year Balint-style continuation group, Lewisham, S. London
1984-1985 Health Visitor Cert. (12 months full time), Croydon College
1983 Obstetric Course (3 months full time), Beckenham/Farnborough
1983 Care of the Dying Patient and his Family (6 weeks residential) Joint Board of Clinical Nursing Skills (JBCNS) St Christopher’s Hospice, London
1979 General Intensive Care Nursing JBCNS 100 (6 months full time), St.Bartholomew’s Hospital, London
1975-1978 Registered General Nurse, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London
(Bronze Award for achievement)
Recent Publications and New Book
Please take a look!
Benns J, Burridge, S, and Penman J. (2021) Intimacy, Sex and Relationship Challenges Laid Bare Across the Lifespan: Applied Principles and Practice for Health Professionals. Oxon: Routledge.
This accessible book uses case studies to explore issues around intimacy, sexual function, and sexual development over the lifespan, introducing applied principles and practices when working with sexuality-related issues.
Exposing anonymized real-life experiences of intimacy, sexual function, and sexual development from birth to end of life, this book develops the reader’s insight into sexual wellbeing and confidence in communicating about it. The experiential learning and research-based content in readable style will educate and inspire readers with an interest in sexual wellbeing and how this impacts on physical and mental health. Demonstrating how being open to talk about sex and intimacy can change lives, this guide is suitable for a wide range of health and social care professionals, including nurses, doctors, occupational therapists, social workers, psychologists, and counsellors as well as the general public.
Penman JS (2018) Crossing the physical and mental health divide in partnership with ‘hard to treat’ patients with medically unresolved physical symptoms: from problem to solution. Position paper, December 2018, Version 4. Available from www.researchgate.net/publication/332303578
Penman JS, Cook E. & Randhawa, G. (2020) A collaborative brief engagement with medically unexplained sexual and other persistent symptoms: a realist service evaluation. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 35(4). Available from www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14681994.2020.1736405
Jean Penman (2021) Messages from the body, Therapy Today February, p.30-33, published on behalf of BACP by www.thinkpublishing.co.uk.