Frequently Asked Questions
Are our sessions confidential?
Our work will remain confidential within limitations.
If you are or planning to seriously harm anyone else or their property, I am legally obliged to contact the appropriate authorities, with or without your permission, to reduce risk to others.
Are you qualified?
I am ‘senior accredited’ and abide by the professional standards of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). You can see further qualifications listed below.
Who do you work with?
In personal therapy, I work with individuals or couples.
In supervision, I work with practicing professionals.
What's your cancellation policy?
Notice of cancellation must be at least 7 working days in advance to avoid forfeit of payment of that booking.
How can I pay?
Therapy fees are payable through the payment platform or by direct bank transfer at least 48 hrs in advance.
What's your refund policy?
There is no refund available for missed appointments. If I myself am unable to attend a session for whatever reason I will give as much notice as I can and we will book another as near as possible to replace it.
How do you work ethically?
I receive regular confidential clinical supervision to support ethical practice.
Maintaining my own personal and professional development is important to me.
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
Member Royal College of Nursing (RCN) to Dec. 2019
Group 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.
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
A Selection of Publications
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.
