Jessica is a psychotherapist and ambassador for the Human Givens Institute, which is a global organisation that unifies the most effective forms of counselling & psychotherapy, neuroscientific findings and therapeutic techniques with the focus on achieving positive client outcomes with speed. With 15 years of experience in corporate enterprise sales, managing multi-million dollar targets while raising two children, she understands firsthand how stressors from various life areas can intersect. Her mission is to redefine workplace well-being by providing individuals and businesses with a holistic therapeutic framework that primarily addresses emotional needs. By empowering people with knowledge and skills to manage their emotional well-being, Jessica aims to create thriving workplaces and lives.
Jessica Chesterman, Psychotherapist HG, Dip.P
Tell us a bit about your story. How did you build your career until this point?
My passion for Human Givens (HG) therapy and redefining workplace well-being stems from personal experience. In my mid-twenties, I endured a two-year period of depression, which, in all honesty, was just horrible. HG theory resonated deeply with my lived experience, as many of my emotional needs (of which all humans have 9) were significantly impacted and were being met out of balance. Had I known then what I know now, I know I would have recovered from depression more quickly. HG could definitely be more well-known. However, it is this under-recognition that fuels my passion and drives my role as an HG Ambassador.
During those 2 years, my challenges were primarily personal. I was fortunate to work for an organisation that was incredibly understanding and supportive; however, my personal distress inevitably impacted my work life. Many of my emotional needs weren’t being met in healthy or balanced ways, which, in turn, affected my cognitive responses, and my job became extremely difficult and exhausting. In the fast-paced corporate world, I found mental health workshops often focussed solely on work, which I believe is overlooking a critical aspect.
My approach empowers individuals with the knowledge to manage their own well-being, regardless of personal or professional circumstances. This equips people with valuable insights, enabling them to take control of their mental health and adopt a framework they can use forever more.
What drives/inspires you?
My transition from Enterprise Sales Executive to therapist was, let’s be honest, not inspired by financial gain. I have 2 children who I utterly adore and they inspire me to do my little bit to make a positive impact on the world, I feel being a mother has made me more cognisant of wanting to make a difference. Additionally, witnessing clients who have been in long-term therapy with little progress before coming to see me has really motivated me to help others through my work and promote HG therapy. I firmly believe that businesses adopting frameworks that support emotional needs and individuals becoming more aware of the HG approach could significantly improve people's chances of thriving. As I say to my clients, if you create a life that works for you, then why would mental distress occur?
Life is inherently uncertain and everyone faces challenges. However, not everyone who experiences challenges suffers from poor mental health. A significant factor in resilience is how well one's emotional needs are met.
What would you like to achieve for yourself and your business in the future?
This is an easy question to answer. My long-term goal is to dedicate a significant portion of my professional efforts to conducting corporate workshops that transform workplace mental health. However, I aspire to be in a position where I can allocate a substantial portion of my time to providing pro bono services for individuals and families who are unable to afford professional help.
The UK's NHS faces significant waiting lists and many people in need cannot afford private support. The HG approach aligns with human emotional needs, often facilitating rapid change and providing individuals with a framework for living a fulfilling life. Giving back in this way would be incredibly rewarding.
What key advice do you have for achieving success?
There is so much information out there on what creates success, and of course, it’s not only one thing, but for me, a key factor has been following my gut instinct. Throughout my life, I have always heard the phrase "Jessica does it her way." and now I have a daughter who is exactly the same, I can see the humour in it. However, I would say trusting my gut instinct has been instrumental. If something doesn't work out after following my intuition, I can take full responsibility and learn from it, yet when I reflect on past experiences where I didn’t follow my gut and it didn't go as planned, it still frustrates me to this day. It is so important to do what feels authentic to you, as embracing authenticity drives passion and meaning in what you do and really supports your sense of purpose.
What services or products does (your company) offer?
My workshops are designed for Leaders and Learning & Development teams, with my primary workshops aimed at helping individuals overcome mental distress. The workshop really shines a light on how you are living your life, where the stressors may be coming from, and why they are a stressor, and by doing so, you'll gain knowledge and tools to manage your mental health in all aspects of life. In private therapy, I use a therapeutic measures form where individuals scale aspects of their life and I have adapted this for workshops so participants can privately identify potential stressors linked to emotional needs but also the misuses of innate behaviours, such as the impact of the rational mind during emotional distress for example. I incorporate a bunch of therapeutic tips throughout the workshop, and as a therapist, the workshop can be tailored to include tips of relevance, i.e., signs and tips on how to deal with anxiety (if you identify this as being a challenge within your team), insights around grief, addiction and so forth.
My workshops don't offer simplistic advice like "shut your email after 5 pm." While work-life boundaries are crucial, I understand the unique pressures of corporate life, such as quarterly and half-yearly deal cycle pressures. My goal is to go deeper, providing practical knowledge and tangible tools that help individuals identify the root causes of their challenges.
By aligning with human psychology, corporations can create supportive environments that foster kindness and understanding and maximize employee potential. In the long term, adopting these frameworks can reduce absenteeism, increase productivity, and enhance employee experience and overall well-being.
In your experience, what are some common misconceptions about (your industry)?
So, where do I start? A common misconception about individual therapy is that it must be a long-term process, which results in people assuming therapy is expensive, but this doesn’t need to be the case. I don’t think it is widely understood how many different therapeutic modalities there are so it is so important to find a modality that really resonates with you.
Human Givens therapy is pragmatic and solution-focused, which is the very reason I was drawn to it. I believe this is why this approach resonates with individuals in fast-paced corporate environments.
Therapy also isn't a silver bullet. After each private session, I provide a list of suggestions tailored to the discussions, and in my experience, there is a noticeable difference in the number of sessions required when someone takes on the suggestions versus someone who has not. I see therapy as a partnership with the client, working together to create positive change, and it requires efforts from both sides.
Another misconception is that you have to stay with your therapist. Building rapport with your therapist is absolutely crucial and it is important that you choose a therapist who makes you feel seen, heard, and respected. If you don't feel a connection, don't hesitate to walk away.
Trust your gut instinct.
Regarding the workplace, I firmly believe you cannot solve workplace well-being by solely focusing on the workplace, as this overlooks the interconnectedness of personal and professional lives. A holistic approach is essential for addressing the root causes of mental distress amongst individuals, but it is also important for organisations to adopt frameworks that align with what drives human behaviour, which will result in getting the best out of their people.
And finally, Therapy doesn’t need to be thought of as a last solution, think of it as an M.O.T, your future self will thank you.
Finally, if you feel that a holistic approach to workplace wellbeing could equip your people with the knowledge and tools to thrive, or if you are an individual who is looking to take a step into therapy, then please get in touch by clicking here.
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