Jo Walmsley

Are you or a loved one struggling with anxiety?

Is it stopping you from living the life you want?

Are you feeling like you are a failure, or just not good enough?

Do you constantly feel unhappy or "down", depressed?

Do you feel that you are missing out on life?

Are your relationships causing you stress?

Do you feel like you're "boring" your friends with your troubles?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions then please get in touch.

You are not alone, I am here to help.

By offering you a confidential and safe space to talk through your issues, I can help you begin to understand how past events and experiences may be responsible for your current beliefs, behaviour and actions.  By helping you to see things in a new way it allows you the choice of change. With help and support you can make the changes you may have always wished for or have yet to discover.

I believe that by helping you to understand yourself, it enables you the tools to make the most of your future and finding your happiness.

If you're considering sharing your thoughts and emotions with me it feels only right to share a little of myself with you. Whilst Im a fully trained professional Integrative Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor; Im also just a pretty "normal" kind of person, please don't let the job title intimidate you, I too struggle with my own issues some days. Some days just feel a bit too much don't they? I mostly get through those days with as much of a smile as I can muster, and a few expletives #counsellorwhoswears, and I'm happy to help you find your coping skills. I love to laugh and always try to find a positive in every situation, but it hasn't always been this way. I have had difficult times in my life when it felt that I would never laugh again, or be able to see positives or feel gratitude, and that's what gives me the passion I have to help you through your difficult times. You are far more resilient than you believe, its only been you that's got you through life this far, so sometimes we need to be reminded of that and give ourselves a pat on the back.

Ive gained experience in many issues during my time as a counsellor, through agency work, private practice and five years working for the NHS IAPT contract in the local areas. It's given me extensive experience in Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Obsessive Thinking, Disability, Chronic Fatigue, Long term health conditions, Domestic Abuse amongst many others.  I work with all ages and offer both short and long term counselling. Using an Integrative approach it allows me the skills and flexibility of other theories such as Psychodynamic, Person Centred, Existential, Transactional Analysis, Gestalt and Cognitive Behavioural Therapies (CBT) to enable me to work very personally with each individual client and their presenting issue.  

At the core of Integrative Counselling is the relationship between counsellor and client, and it is with this in mind that I strive to build a strong, trusting and empathic relationship with all of my clients.

I am also trained in Life Coaching and can use this alongside counselling to help clients manage their lives to maximise their potential and reach their own goals.  

Please feel free to browse my website: www.affinitycounsellingwithjo.co.uk or Facebook page: https://m.facebook.com/JoPrivatePractice/ for further information on myself and counselling.

Whilst I am currently based in Teynham, near Sittingbourne I also cover areas such as Faversham, Swale, Sheerness, Newington, Whitstable, Canterbury. I also offer both telephone and online counselling Nationwide.

Clinical Supervison provided: both individual and groups of up to three

Individual session (50 minutes) & Couples session (60 minutes) fees are between £50 - £80, please contact me for details

Clinical Supervision £50 - 60 minutes
                                £70 - 90 minutes

Student Discount Available

Some concessions may be available, please contact me for details.

EAP work accepted

Sessions available Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat 9am-12pm

Parking available & local bus/train services within 300 yards

I hold valid Indemnity Insurance

Data Protection Reg. No: ZA151426

I seek regular supervision with a Clinical Supervisor

I am an accredited member of the National Counselling Society (NCS), and registered member of The Association for Independent Practitioners (AIP), and the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP).

Testimonials

I would like to say a special thank you to all those kind enough to share their experiences.  It was a pleasure working with you all.

"Being in an abusive relationship can destroy the very soul of a person. All that may exist is a body with a lost mind and an empty heart. For someone to convince me that my life was worth living, that my opinions were valid and my emotions were understandable- well, it was a long shot! Jo picked me up from my lowest and gave ME the tools to find MY OWN path and muster up enough strength to keep on fighting and pulling myself through even when i felt i had nothing left in me. I could write a very long testimonial in appreciation for Jo and the way she has helped changed my life, but i will keep this brief and simply say, thank you Jo, from my two children. They have their mummy back- a new and improved one at that!"

"Seeing Jo has changed my life. I have become a different person. I am much more confident and calmer and I don’t take things so personally anymore. Jo has helped me to deal with issues in my past and understand why I am the way I am. She helped me to realise that I can’t change what has happened and to let go. Most importantly Jo has made me realise that I am worthy of being loved but that I am also capable of being on my own"

"I never thought I'd be able to trust anyone enough to talk about my issues but I have been able to.  It seems so silly that all I needed to do was to talk about the things I've never told anyone.  Talking about things has really helped me and I would tell anyone to share the things your hiding or too afraid to talk about.  Jo really seemed to care and understand how I felt"”

“I have been seeing Jo for sometime now and she has helped me work through some problems from my past.  I didn't realise how much those things where affecting my life still.  It feels as if a huge weight is being lifted.  Thanks Jo!"

"I was pretty sceptical about counselling at first and thought that I could talk to my friends about my problems and that I didn't need to talk to a stranger, but I was wrong.  It was completely different talking to Jo, she was impartial and I didn't have to censor what I told her for fear of anyone else finding out or to keep others happy.  I could tell Jo anything and she would continue to listen and treat me with respect.  She just seemed to "get" me and at times it was as if she knew how I was feeling before I realised it myself.  I was sad when our sessions ended and missed being able to share with Jo my news and my thoughts.  If I ever need that "special person" to talk to again, I won't hesitate next time.  It is with special thanks that I write this for Jo, she has proved priceless to me.  A million thank yous just aren't enough"

"Never underestimate how much counselling can help.  If you've ever thought about doing it, then my advise is "do it!",  I cant begin to write how much it helped me."