Jane Schindler-Ord FdA MNCS (Accred)
Group Facilitator & Course Director
Hello, I am Jane, and I write and co-facilitate many of the courses at Devon Counselling College.
I call myself ‘the accidental psychotherapist!’ and I have been interested in how people ‘work’ and relate to each other for a long time, initially studying psychology and sociology. This led to my interest in counselling, and, having had some excellent therapy to help me with my mental health issues, I embarked on life-changing training in Gestalt counselling in 2005. Initially, I was only ever going to do the level 2 training, but curiosity got the better of me. Before I knew it, I had trained to level 6 (counselling supervision) and completed a foundation degree in counselling and psychotherapy.
Since qualifying, I have worked in private practice, in the NHS with women who experienced childhood sexual abuse and trauma, and I have counselled with various charities. I ran a counselling and mental health service for young people in Torbay for seven years. I have also helped run a local affordable counselling agency for over a decade.
I’ve enjoyed tutoring counselling courses and workshops since 2011, including writing and running several diplomas and other courses with James. I have written and taught a course in mental health awareness nationally across the UK.
I have gone on to study other areas of therapy that interest me: CBT, Transactional Analysis, family therapy, supervision, mindfulness and more recently, Eco Therapy and Shinrin Yoku (Forest Bathing). My professional, personal, and spiritual worlds are ever-evolving, and this helps me to be an approachable and well-informed tutor.
James Schindler-Ord BSc MNCS (Accred)
Group Facilitator, Admin & IT
Hi, I’m James, and I co-facilitate DCC courses and do the college admin and, somewhat reluctantly, the IT.
My counselling journey started in 2005 as a quest to help and understand a friend’s depression. I have always had a curious mind about psychology and an interest in people-watching, so becoming a counsellor felt like a natural progression for me.
I trained in Gestalt therapy with John & Annie Watkins up to my level 4 diploma and then went on to complete a level 6 qualification in body process psychotherapy with John Watkins and Sue Chance. I have also trained in Clinical Supervision, working with couples, CBT, NLP, Shinrin Yoku (forest bathing) and Sound Therapy.
I will be undertaking a qualification in hypnotherapy with Yorkshire Hypnotherapy Training during 2024/25.
Julie Wyman BSc (Hons) MBACP (Accred)
Group Facilitator & Consultant to Devon Counselling College
I’m Julie – one of the founders of Devon Counselling College in 2006.
Counselling felt like a natural progression for me as I entered my forties. A previous career in HR and some major life events had left me with big questions about myself, my purpose and my place in the world – I have to add a note of caution here – as soon as I got somewhere near my answers, they were quickly replaced by further questions…that seems to be the nature of all personal development work!
My search for answers and inquisitive nature accompany me into my sixth decade; I have an insatiable thirst for knowledge and have never stopped studying since I left school at 16, armed with very few qualifications.
I have worked therapeutically in a variety of settings for many years now, and it is difficult to describe the eclectic nature of what I actually do these days: I love the generous and relational ethos of the Rogerian approach, and my heart lies in the deep reflective personal inquiry that is woven through my roles as therapist, supervisor and coach. Together with this I am an NLP and creative arts practitioner and often incorporate this into my support of other peoples’ inquiries into their big questions; encouraging them to take the time to identify personal strengths as well as areas for growth.
I am a strong advocate for innovative and creative approaches to learning, and when it comes to training and group facilitation, I maintain a strong belief that every person has the potential to learn and develop, and it is very special to be able to witness those discoveries for another person.
Helen Hoyte
DCC Associate and Tutor
Hello, My name is Helen,
I am a therapeutic counsellor, coach and teacher with a background in energy work and complementary therapies. I have a passion for people and all things health and wellbeing related and I love discovering new things.
I have had my own complementary therapy business for over 10 years and now run my counselling and coaching practice alongside my teaching roles. I draw on my experience and knowledge of physical, mental & spiritual wellbeing, and bring it into my counselling, coaching and teaching practices.
I am a curious, sociable, enthusiastic, and bubbly person, who loves a challenge and loves to meet new people.
Sam Robinson
DCC Associate and Tutor
Hi I’m Sam,
I am an integrative counsellor, psychotherapist and supervisor based in Ivybridge.
I am passionate about my own personal and professional development and I love understanding what has made me the person I am today. My circumstances led me to seek out counselling over sixteen years ago when I found life events brought me to a place where I had far more questions than I had answers.
I work with young people and adults face-to-face, online and on the phone. I have the training and a vast amount of experience working in many areas and have a specialist interest and experience in working with trauma and neurodiversity.
I have registered member status with the BACP, a graduate membership with the BPS and accredited registration with the NCPS.
Willow Bork
DCC Associate and Assessor
Hello, I’m Willow, and I am an assignment assessor for the Diploma Courses at Devon Counselling College. I have been assessing students’ work at various counselling colleges for over 5 years. As well as doing assessment work I am a children’s therapist, registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and specialising in therapeutic work with children and young people. In addition to one-to-one counselling sessions, I also offer guidance to parents, drawing on my background as a social worker and fostering social worker to provide 1-1 sessions and practical resources that promote healthy family dynamics and effective parenting techniques.
Stella Grace
DCC Associate
I have been teaching Reiki since 2018 and practising Reiki since 2016. I am a qualified Aromatherapist and Massage Therapist, and also an Astrologer and Intuitive Tarot Card Reader.
I love working with people of all ages and backgrounds and prior to my current career in Holistic Therapies, I worked supporting young people in community services for 15 years, predominantly with drug and alcohol issues. I gained a First Class Bachelor of Arts Degree in Youth and Community Work in 2007.
I have a strong passion for helping people to grow from their challenges and to feel their best on all levels; physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I thoroughly enjoy sharing the beautiful energy of Reiki and other holistic services as tools to do just that.
I have been and continue to be profoundly impacted by the life-changing benefits of Reiki on my own journey. I am proud to share a heart-led business, sharing Reiki and my other holistic tools, that has grown organically from my own passions and commitment to personal development.
I can’t wait to connect with you and see if these tools can help you too!
Jenny Jackson
This page would not be complete without the inclusion of our friend Jenny Jackson, who taught Julie up to her Level 4 Diploma. Jenny, along with Julie, founded DCC in 2006 and left due to a move to Gloucester in 2012. Her passion for, and strong belief in the value of relationship has had a huge impact on the way we work.
