Ripples: About Jan Stiff

Before the start of my career as an online counsellor for young people, I worked at a Children’s Hospice as a Paediatric Palliative Care Nurse. I was privileged to gain valuable insight into the lives of chronically sick children – often with complex physical and cognitive disabilities – as well as the wider family. The specific emotional needs of the brothers and sisters of these children became evident. Consequently, I developed and managed a Sibling Support Service within the hospice: providing both pre and post bereavement support - face to face, within groups and within schools.

With a change of career, I specialised in providing online counselling, talks and workshops to both parents and families of children with disabilities / special needs as part of a local charity "Diagnosis Support Service" http://www.parentingspecialchildren.co.uk/index.php?page_id=40

I completed a General Certificate in Online Counselling Skills (2010) through OLT and the Diploma in Online Therapeutic Supervision (2013, OLT) and until 2015, (it’s closure) I worked for 'COAP' counselling children and young people who lived with an alcoholic parent or carer - this counselling work was exclusively via emails http://www.coap.org.uk/

I then worked as a tutor at OLT, tutoring for the certificate in online counselling and then the Diploma in Online Supervision (DOTS) http://www.onlinetrainingforcounsellors.co.uk/ )

What I do now

My therapeutic approach within all my work is integrative acknowledging the flexibility required when supporting young people and all clients who often present feeling vulnerable in the first instance.

At present, I work pro re nata as an online and face to face counsellor for a local children's charity: 'Swings & Smiles' supporting children and young people who live with a sibling who has a severe disability / special needs. https://www.swingsandsmiles.co.uk/ I also work as a Senior tutor at The Academy for Online Counselling and Psychotherapy providing training in Digital Supervision. https://www.acadtherapy.online/

Alongside this work I provide online supervision for counsellors working online and/or face to face with a specific interest in supervising counsellors working with young people and young adults. I also provide face to face counselling for young people pre and post bereavement referred from within the local community.

Private Practice

ACTO Directorship and Competencies

Until August 2020 I was a Director of ACTO https://acto-org.uk/ bringing a focus on children and young people receiving online counselling and leading on the ACTO online supervision competences.

Supervision competencies

https://acto-org.uk/online-supervision-competences/

Children and Young People Competencies

https://acto-org.uk/acto-competencies-for-children-and-young-people-online-therapists/

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialACTO/posts/897591340745295

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialACTO/posts/923455858158843

I am a qualified LEAP practitioner - Level 5

(https://www.leapequine.com/practitioner-training/level-5-diploma-in-equine-facilitated-psychotherapy/) and am developing this practice, helping clients access this unique form of therapy through the presence of horses.

To contact me:
jan.stiff@protonmail.com

ICO Registered
https://ico.org.uk/

ACCPH Directory - Senior / Accredited member

https://www.accph.org.uk/membership-account/directory/