Sarah has been our Admin Officer since 2021; she is the friendly voice you’ll likely hear when you first contact Ballynahinch Counselling Service. She’s dedicated to making every client’s journey as smooth and welcoming as possible, whether they’re booking their first appointment or have questions about the service.
With over 20 years of experience in administration, she genuinely loves connecting with people and ensuring everyone feels supported from the moment they reach out. She’s there to make sure your experience with the service feels personal, comfortable, and stress-free. Recently, she’s also taken on the exciting role of Social Media Manager, so if you follow Ballynahinch Counselling Service online (Instagram or Facebook), you’ll be seeing posts from her too.
When she’s not at the office, you’ll find her surrounded by her ever-growing menagerie at home – currently featuring 4 dogs, 2 cats, and 6 chickens who keep life interesting (and occasionally chaotic!).
Jennie has been with BCS since May 2019, initially serving as Centre Manager. She stepped into the role of CEO in 2025 when the organisation transitioned to operating as a limited company. Jennie started her career as an office admin in a small business before joining the Civil Service as an Administrative Assistant and progressing quickly to Admin Officer, Executive Officer and Higher Executive Officer within 10 years.
For the last 21 years Jennie has enjoyed customer facing roles in administration, customer service, and management and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her position. Jennie is committed to personal progression and has undertaken further vocational and professional learning in her roles in optometry, family support and mental health, including a Certificate in Counselling, ICT Professional qualification and Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership. She has a passion for helping people to help themselves and strives to ensure that BCS provides a safe space for people to explore their feelings and circumstances, and support them to make positive changes for improved mental health and overall wellbeing. Jennie is excited to build on the current services of counselling and listening ear in the months ahead.
As a Christian, Jennie values living out her faith in her everyday life. She enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren, hiking, and reading thriller and detective novels.
Meet the team of dedicated, qualified counsellors providing compassionate, professional support across all our locations. Each brings their own expertise, training, and therapeutic approach, united by a shared commitment to helping clients find strength, clarity, and balance.
Clinical Manager
Pippa is a qualified teacher, counsellor and supervisor with over 13 years’ experience supporting young people through developmental and emotional challenges at BCS. Holding a PG Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People, she combines therapeutic expertise with leadership as Clinical Manager, ensuring safe, ethical practice. Passionate about accessibility, safeguarding and helping clients feel truly understood, Pippa is dedicated to creating a supportive, inclusive counselling space.
Integrative Counsellor | Qualified 2015
Ian has been working as an integrative counsellor with BCS since qualifying in 2015. His primary aim is to offer a safe, non-judgemental, and confidential space for every client. Within this environment, he helps individuals build on their strengths to overcome life’s challenges.
Counsellor | Specialist in Adolescent and Autism Awareness
Bob brings a wealth of experience and specialist expertise to the practice. Alongside his counselling qualification, he has pursued advanced training in counselling adolescents and autism awareness, allowing him to support a wide range of clients with tailored approaches.
Counsellor | Specialist in Complex Trauma and Childhood Abuse
Practising in Lisburn and Ballynahinch, Carol supports clients with compassion and expertise. Her qualifications include a degree in counselling and specialist training in complex trauma and childhood abuse, equipping her to work sensitively with individuals who have faced significant challenges.
Integrative Counsellor | Trauma-Informed & Neurodiversity-Aware
Claire takes an integrative approach grounded in trauma-informed care, with expertise in childhood and relational trauma. She combines evidence-based methods such as Interpersonal Psychotherapy and Motivational Interviewing while supporting clients through shame, resilience, and recovery. Claire is WRAP-qualified and trained in ADHD Clinical Services, offering culturally sensitive support to LGBTQ+ communities.
Trauma-Informed Counsellor | Attachment-Aware & Body-Based Practitioner
Danielle brings extensive training in trauma-informed, attachment-aware therapy. Her specialisms include adverse childhood experiences, complex trauma, addiction, ADHD clinical services, and pregnancy and infant loss support. Combining mental health and body-based approaches, Danielle helps clients strengthen resilience and recovery through holistic, trauma-aware care.
Counsellor | Adolescent & Suicide Intervention Specialist
A founding member of BCS, Davy has served the local community since 2011. He holds specialist qualifications in working with adolescents and autism awareness and has completed ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), enhancing his ability to support clients in crisis.
CBT Counsellor | Specialist in Child & Adolescent Support
Deborah combines her counselling degree with specialist Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) training. She helps clients identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns, providing practical tools for change. Based in Lisburn, she also offers support for children and adolescents using evidence-based, empowering approaches.
Counsellor | DBT & Couples Therapy Specialist
Jill has advanced training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and couples counselling. She supports both individuals and partners — helping couples strengthen relationships and guiding clients to build emotional regulation and distress tolerance through DBT techniques.
Counsellor | PhD, MSc | Conflict & Workplace Specialist
Linda holds a degree, master’s, and PhD, reflecting her deep academic and professional expertise. She has completed ASIST suicide prevention training and specialist courses in conflict resolution, workplace counselling, rewind therapy, and couples therapy, helping clients navigate both personal and professional challenges.
Counsellor | Couples & DBT Specialist
Julie-Ann specialises in couples counselling and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). She helps partners improve communication and connection while supporting individual clients with emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills.
Integrative Counsellor | Adolescent, Trauma & Substance Support
Lorraine provides integrative counselling to young people and adults. With specialist training in adolescent therapy, loss, trauma, and substance abuse, she offers compassionate, tailored support that empowers clients to create meaningful change and healthier relationships.
Child & Adolescent Counsellor | Parent Support Specialist
Based in Bangor, Maria specialises in counselling children and adolescents, helping young people navigate emotional and developmental challenges. She also offers parent support to families and provides general counselling for adults experiencing life transitions or difficulties.
Relationship Counsellor | Individual & Couples Therapy
Michael, based in Downpatrick, works with both individuals and couples. His qualifications in relationship counselling enable him to help partners strengthen communication, resolve conflict, and rebuild emotional connection through integrative, evidence-based methods.
