Joanna Marks
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I’m Jo, a qualified and experienced psychotherapist and counsellor offering a supportive, empathic and non-judgmental approach to exploring any struggles and challenges you may be facing in your life.
I am an integrative psychotherapist which means that, in practice, I draw on different models concerning human development and the human condition in order to sensitively, intelligently, and flexibly respond to your particular needs.
I will work hard with you to identify and address any underlying issues, and patterns of relating and behaving, that might be causing difficulty in your life. Maybe you want to focus on your personal development: to explore a change in direction or to feel more fulfilled. Whatever you may be bringing to therapy, the process can provide an opportunity for reflection, discovery, healing, change and growth.
I believe that true acceptance of ourselves emerges as a result of receiving compassionate acceptance from another person: someone who wants to know us, and welcome us, just as we are, with all our strengths and flaws. I offer a safe, confidential space where you can be with somebody who is rooting for you; always on your side. Together we can make sense of your experience, grounded in a relationship that is honest and respectful.
Training, qualifications & experience
I hold an MA and Advanced Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling from the Minster Centre in London, one of the UK’s leading psychotherapy and counselling training institutions.
My training has been both extensive and thorough, including multiple approaches to psychotherapy and theoretical frameworks in human psychological development, including the psychoanalytic and psychodynamic, humanistic, existential, transpersonal, relational, attachment and neuroscience/body-oriented.
Prior to entering private practice, I gained nearly five years of experience in the NHS providing short term psychotherapy (12 to 24 weeks) in GP surgeries. Prior to, and during psychotherapy training, I provided telephone support to adult survivors of childhood abuse at a national charity. I engaged in years of meditation training through one of the Buddhist traditions, which has given me a strong foundation in the practice of mindfulness.
I have a background in the arts, education, charity and corporate sectors. My other qualifications include a BA (Hons) in English Literature from the University of Sheffield, and an MSc in Human Resource Management from The London School of Economics (LSE).
I have experience in both long term and short term work with psychotherapy clients, both in person and online.
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
Therapies offered
Fees
£80.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I offer a few slots for full-time students at a reduced fee. Please drop me a line to find out what I have available.
Further information
A note for 12-steppers: I welcome clients working a 12-step programme in any fellowship. I can offer one-to-one psychotherapy that respects and supports your path of recovery.
