Joanna (Jo) Watts
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This professional has no current availability for new clients. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
This professional has no current availability for new clients. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
About me
Hi, I'm Joanna (also known as Jo) and I run my own counselling private practice under the name of Joanna Louise Therapy. I am a qualified counsellor for children, young people and adults in Lincoln and the wider Lincolnshire and Newark areas. My interest in counselling began as a student when I worked for several years on a student helpline and listening service. I then worked for many years in the education sector (abroad and in the UK), before qualifying as a counsellor. I have always enjoyed working in caring roles and have a passion for working therapeutically with others. Since September 2023, I have also been working as a Lecturer in Counselling for two days a week.
My Approach
Therapy to suit you
I understand that choosing to have therapy can be a big decision and it can be difficult to know where to start.
I have a person-centred ethos which places you and your individual needs and experiences at the very heart of your therapy. I am able to work with you on a short-term or long-term basis, whatever you feel will be most helpful.
If you wish to set a goal for your therapy, we will work together to set the goals and work towards these. We will regularly review your progress and may adapt or change the goals as you feel necessary. If you prefer not to set any goals, that is also fine as I'm happy to work in the way that suits you best. We can discuss whatever you wish to bring to each session.
Supporting You Towards Self-Growth
My approach is to guide and support you, but ultimately you are in control of your therapy. You decide what you wish to talk about and you make your commitment to each session. In this way, it is like learning to drive. You are in the driving seat and I am by your side, guiding and navigating you on your journey.
Although my approach is mostly "talk therapy", I draw on many elements of counselling and psychotherapy practice depending on what may help and support you most. This may include CBT approaches (based on the link between thoughts, actions and behaviours) as well as other interactive types of intervention such as writing, drawing, and elements of roleplay. You will always be consulted about each approach to your therapy. It is important that you are comfortable and that you are able to work in a way that is helpful to you.
A Therapeutic Partnership
Our therapy work is a partnership which will benefit from a feeling of trust between myself as the counsellor, and you as the client. This may take time to grow and develop, the length of time varying for each person. I usually recommend that you attend the first session to get a "feel" for how it will be working together. You can then decide whether to proceed with further sessions and can book more in a block, or week by week. It is usually recommended, as far as possible, to commit to a regular slot at the same time each week.
Creative Approaches
As my experience has developed, I have gained more training, knowledge and interest in creative counselling methods. These include using artwork, sand tray work and other visual resources such as flashcards to help explore feelings. I believe in the power of visual and creative approaches which can sometimes go beyond what words can say. These types of approaches can be really helpful to access feelings and explore experiences/events which are not in conscious awareness, and to help prompt or expand on verbal discussion. If you are interested in finding out more about these approaches, just ask and I will be happy to discuss these with you to help you explore your options. For further information about some of the creative training I have done, please take a look at the Training and Experience section.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications:
- BTEC Level 5 Professional Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
Training:
- Goals in Therapy: Actualising our Deepest Directions
- The Tribes of Person-Centred Therapy
- Online Counselling Training & Resources
- Safeguarding Adults and Children Awareness
- Core Competence for Working Therapeutically with Children and Young People
- Attachment and Shame
Training in Creative Approaches:
- Working Creatively with the Inner Child
- Working Creatively with Blocked Anger
- Integrating Artwork into your Counselling Practice
- Simple Ways to Work with Dreams
Experience in:
- a number of therapeutic and confidential settings including charities and student welfare services.
- face-to-face, telephone, e-mail, and online counselling.
- working with a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, sexual health issues, attachment issues, trauma and bereavement
Member organisations
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
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
I will listen to whatever you wish to discuss, which may or may not be in the list above.
Therapies offered
Fees
£55.00 - £65.00
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Adults and Young People
Sessions are either online or face-to-face, depending on preference.
Daytime sessions are priced at £55.00.
Evening sessions (from 5pm) are £65.00.
I offer a discount for students who are self-funding their sessions, and can discuss this at the initial telephone assessment.
Children
Children's sessions are face-to-face only.
The fee for a standard 45-50 minute session is £55.00
If you feel your child needs a shorter session based on individual needs, this can be agreed, and the fee will be adjusted accordingly.
When I work
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Availability
Wednesday - 2:00pm - 7:00pm
Thursday - 10:00am - 7:00pm
Friday - 10:00am - 5:30pm
Further information
I am qualified to work with clients of all ages and my background in the education sector means that I have extensive experience of working with children, young people and adults. Sessions for adults and young people are 50 minutes long. For children, a standard session is 45-50 minutes in duration. However, if you feel your child would benefit from a shorter session, based on individual needs, this can be agreed.
When working with children, please note that my role differs from a psychologist or psychiatrist. As a therapist, I can help your child explore their emotions and assist them with strategies to manage their mental health and wellbeing. This may include talk therapy, play, art and craft activities, stories and games relevant to their needs.
If you are interested, please get in touch. I look forward to hearing from you.
