Jo Hopkins

Verified Professional Verified Professional
Verified Professional

Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.

MBACP (accred.)
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Reading, Berkshire, RG1
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

I am an experienced psychodynamic counsellor and supervisor working in Reading with people who wish to make lasting changes to their lives.  You may be feeling anxious, depressed or very stressed.  Perhaps you have relationship problems or have lost a loved one or your job.  You may be feeling unhappy, but not know why... If so, the opportunity to talk confidentially to a counsellor may help.

I see young people (11-17) and adults for weekly sessions providing a safe space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings and think about the difficulties you are facing.  I believe the capacity to change lies within each person and the counselling process enables you to gain self-awareness so you can bring about the changes you desire and begin to live with a greater sense of freedom and fulfilment. 

Location
My practice is located in central Reading, 2 minutes' walk from the train station.  I have an office on the ground floor of a business centre.  There is a reception and waiting area.  There is no onsite parking, except for bicycles.  There are several car parks nearby.  The centre is fully accessible for people with mobility and sensory disabilities. 

My approach to counselling
The psychodynamic approach focuses on helping you identify and understand negative patterns of relating and behaving so you can begin to find better ways of coping with life's difficulties. The work involves making sense of what might be the underlying, unconscious motivations for your actions.  With greater self- awareness, you can begin to gain the confidence to accept or change your situation.  Sometimes, the work involves exploring early childhood experiences as a way of throwing light on current difficulties.

Getting started

If you think counselling is for you, the next step is to get in touch. This can feel a bit daunting; it's not easy to admit you need some help.  So, just give me a call and we can arrange to meet to discuss your needs and how I can help.  If I don't answer immediately, leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as I can.  During the initial consultation I can answer your queries about counselling and explain how the process works.  Sessions are weekly and last 50 minutes.


You may be wondering how long therapy lasts...

The duration depends on what you are looking for, the nature of your difficulties and what you can afford. If you want to address a specific issue, we can work in a focused way towards a resolution which may take a few weeks or months.  However, if your problems are deep-seated and have lasted a long time, it may take longer to resolve them and so an open-ended approach is preferable.  In either case, we work towards a mutually agreed ending

Training, qualifications & experience

I have a PG Diploma in counselling from the University of Reading (2012). As a trainee and newly qualified therapist, I worked with students at the University of Reading Counselling and Wellbeing Service and at a low-cost counselling agency.  I worked with NHS patients for short-term therapy at the Berkshire Counselling Centre, Wokingham for two years. I worked for four years in the Cancer Services team, Basingstoke Hospital, as a therapist with people living and dying with cancer.  I offered end of life and bereavement support to patients and their families.  I worked with patients helping them understand the impact of illness and treatment on their lives and identity.

I currently work in private practice.

I have a Diploma in Supervision from the Society for Analytical Psychology (SAP 2017) and see trainee and qualified counsellors for individual and group supervision. I worked as a supervisor at No5 Young People, a Counselling Agency offering free therapy to 10–25-year-olds in central Reading from 2015-2022

I have a Certificate in Counselling Young People (CPCAB 2022).  I see young people aged 11-17 in private practice.   

In 2022 I started working at Basingstoke Counselling Service as a lecturer and supervisor on their Counselling Diploma course.  

Member organisations

Registered / Accredited

Registered / Accredited

Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred).

Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision.

Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training.

All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.

Accredited register membership

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Photos & videos

Fees

£64.99 per session

Concessions offered for

  • Low income

Additional information

Counselling

I charge £65 for the initial consultation which lasts up to 90 minutes.  I charge £65 for the following weekly sessions which last 50 minutes.  I offer a limited number of bursary places based on personal circumstances. . I charge £45 for twice-weekly sessions.
Supervision
I charge £55 for a 50-minute session.  I usually see supervisees fortnightly. 

I review my fees annually in September.

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

Reading, Berkshire, RG1

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Children
Young people
Adults
Older Adults
Employee Assistance Programme

Key details

Wheelchair user access
Wheelchair user access

Wheelchair-accessible premises should have step-free access for wheelchair users and individuals who are unable to climb stairs. If a Counsellor's premises aren't step-free, they may offer alternative services such as telephone/web-based appointments, home visits, or meeting clients in different location, so you can choose the option that suits you best.

You can contact the Counsellor to discuss the options available.

Under the Equality Act 2010 service providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access their service. You can read more about reasonable adjustments to help you to access services on the CAB website.

Supervision

In person
Online
Phone

Experienced supervisor and psychodynamic counsellor in Reading working with qualified and trainee counsellors for individual supervision.

View supervision profile