Years of Experience
I’m the youngest of four, raised on a council estate in the North East of England. School wasn’t for me, and I left without qualifications, a troubled kid looking for an escape. Joining the British Army was my way out—Queen, Country, Career—but also to leave behind a life I didn’t want. I served with The First Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers from 1994 to 2004, as a frontline Infantry soldier and commander. My service took me on operational tours in Bosnia, Northern Ireland, and Iraq, where I was part of the Desert Rats who liberated Basra during Op Telic 1.
After leaving the Army, I found myself lost—divorced, bankrupt, unemployed, and homeless. I battled with anger and mental health issues, eventually being diagnosed with PTSD. It was a dark time, and I even became suicidal. But I fought back, one step at a time. I returned to education, earned a BA (Hons) degree in Counselling, and became a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and an accredited member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS).
My journey led me to work with various charities in the Veteran Support Sector, including helping Veterans in the Criminal Justice System. I later worked with young people within the care system before becoming a private professional counsellor. My personal challenges have shaped me into a counsellor who truly understands the struggles my clients face.
That’s what the tortoise represents — slowing the pace, simplifying the load,
and taking one steady step at a time.
You don’t need to sprint to fix everything.
You just need to start moving again,
even if it’s one small step forward.
You’ll get a no-nonsense, compassionate approach that helps you feel supported —
every step of the way.
Anger can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to control your life. Through counselling, you can learn to understand triggers, manage intense emotions, and respond in healthier, more constructive ways.
Anxiety can feel constant and exhausting, affecting both mind and body. Counselling helps you understand your triggers, calm racing thoughts, and regain a sense of control.
Depression can drain your energy, motivation, and interest in life. Therapy helps you understand what’s going on and take practical steps to start feeling better.
If your relationship is strained, stuck, or full of conflict, it won’t fix itself. Therapy helps you understand what’s going wrong and how to communicate better.
When everything feels too much, it’s hard to think clearly or cope. Therapy helps you slow things down, make sense of it, and regain control.
If your mental health isn’t where you want it to be, it’s worth addressing. Therapy gives you space to talk, understand what’s going on, and make real changes.
Check my live availability and pick a date and time that suits you.
I’m here to guide you through the next steps and answer anything you’re unsure about. jack@jackenglishcounselling.com
jack@jackenglishcounselling.com
