Dr Jess MacIntyre-Harrison

Dr Jess MacIntyre-Harrison (DClinPsych, MSc, MA, BA Hons) is a Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Associate at Harrison Psychology Group, London

I am a Clinical Psychologist with 15 years of experience working with people struggling with complex life and emotional difficulties. Through building a trusting therapeutic relationship, my hope is that I can sit alongside my clients and empower them in their journeys towards getting to know themselves better, understanding their difficulties, and compassionately making change.

I centre compassion and non-judgement in my work, integrating ideas borrowed from Narrative Therapy (NT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), psychodynamic therapy and body work. I have particular expertise in working with people looking to explore identity, sexual orientation, gender and relationship diversity; people from minoritised communities with diverse cultural, religious and racialised backgrounds; people experiencing problems with sex; and those who have experienced trauma. I also have a special interest in the healing potential of psychedelic plant medicines, and supporting clients in their preparation and integration of these expanded states of consciousness. I am open to thinking about the role that spirituality can play in our lives, moving beyond understanding psychology solely as a ‘brain science’.

My background is in building queer and trans support networks in the charity sector. This previous career has led me to a human-rights based approach in psychology, a trauma-informed view that sees distress as being rooted in our social contexts and life experiences, rather than a fault in our brains. In other words, I approach difficulties such as low mood, trauma, anxiety, and sexual or relationship problems with a curiosity about ‘what have you had to go through?’ rather than ‘what is wrong with you?’.

I completed my clinical training at University College London, where I achieved a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and Foundation in Systemic Family Therapy. Alongside my NHS and private clinical work, I regularly provide teaching on LGBTQ+ mental health for several postgraduate (MSc, PGDip) and doctoral (DClinPsy) courses across the UK. I am a member of the Institute of Psychedelic Therapy (IPT). For individual or relationship therapy, I can offer remote or face-to-face sessions in London.