Jane is a fully qualified counsellor, having gained a Distinction on the MSc Applied Psychology of Intellectual Disabilities course at Portsmouth University. Jane works from home and online in her private counselling practice and specialises in working with family carers of children and adults with additional needs. She is also a volunteer counsellor for All Saints Counselling Service in Portsmouth.
In addition, Jane works part-time for the Challenging Behaviour Foundation as a co-trainer, delivering workshops on positive behavioural support to family carers and support staff caring for people with severe learning disabilities (or moderate learning disabilities and autism) who display behaviour described as challenging. Jane also provides a listening ear peer support service for family carer members of the Challenging Behaviour Foundation.
Jane previously worked as a freelance journalist, writing about learning disability and health issues, among other things. She has written a self-help book Bringing Up a Challenging Child at Home and a ‘parent’s perspective’ chapter in Genetics of Mental Retardation about her experiences with Chrissy, who has a rare genetic disorder that was not diagnosed until she was 21.
Jane lives near Winchester in Hampshire with her husband. Chrissy lives nearby in supported living with 24-hour care and visits her family regularly.
