Joanna Sumsion
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hello I am Joanna, an experienced Counsellor and Psychotherapist.
Life can feel overwhelming at times, leaving you anxious, down, or depressed without a clear understanding of why. Even if you do know the reasons, it can be difficult to talk about them with anyone. The demands of modern life and past experiences can make you feel like you have to handle everything on your own. Therapy is a great way to explore what’s going on and discover what steps you can take to start feeling better.
My approach
In my practice, I take a pluralistic approach to therapy. There isn’t a single ‘best’ method for everyone, different clients have different needs at different times. To provide the most effective support, I believe it’s essential to collaborate with you and understand what approaches work best for your unique situation. I create a nurturing and accepting atmosphere for you to explore your challenges at your own pace. I foster genuine connections, offering a safe, judgment-free space for sharing experiences and emotions.
I have a special interest in supporting individuals and couples through their fertility and infertility journeys. Whether you're undergoing artificial fertility treatments like IVF, considering them, or navigating your own path to parenthood, I am here to provide a compassionate and understanding space. The challenges and complexities associated with Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) can be overwhelming, and I bring the expertise to help you navigate this emotional and personal journey with care and guidance.
As a BACP-registered therapist, I adhere to the highest ethical standards and engage in regular supervision. My pluralistic approach tailors sessions to your unique needs and preferences. I welcome clients from diverse backgrounds and am committed to supporting each individual journey toward healing and growth with empathy and understanding.
Training, qualifications & experience
My experience
With over a decade of experience as a midwife in the NHS and a subsequent transition to a senior executive role in the corporate world, I bring a profound understanding of life's transitions.
In addition to managing my private practice, I volunteer with the Mind Mental Health charity, specialising in bereavement, loss, and grief counselling.
My education and practice
I hold a First Class Honours Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Counselling from the University of East London.
Additionally, I earned a Diploma of Higher Education in Midwifery from St. George's, University of London, where I also practised.
As a pluralistic therapist, I believe in the flexibility and adaptability of therapy to meet the unique needs of each client. Rather than adhering to a single therapeutic approach, I draw on a diverse range of theories, methods, and understandings to tailor our work together. By integrating elements from person-centered, existential, psychodynamic, and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), I can create a personalised approach that aligns with your specific goals and challenges.
In our sessions, you are an active participant in determining the best way forward. Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all process, and I recognise that your needs and preferences may evolve as we progress. Together, we will navigate your therapy and healing journey, adjusting our methods as needed to ensure that the support you receive is both effective and meaningful.
Whether we're exploring past experiences, addressing present challenges, or planning for the future, my aim is to create a therapeutic experience that resonates with you on a deep level and facilitates lasting change.
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
£70.00 per session
Concessions offered for
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | |||||||
| Afternoon | |||||||
| Evening | |||||||
| Night |
Further information
To begin, please contact me via email or phone to share a bit about your situation. This initial conversation will help determine if my approach is suitable for you.
Next, we will schedule a 50-minute initial consultation priced at £70 to discuss your situation in more detail and get to know each other.
If we mutually decide to proceed, I recommend an initial series of six weekly sessions, each lasting 50 minutes. When booked as a package, these six initial sessions are offered at a discounted rate of £65 each.
Following these sessions, we will review your progress together and discuss whether further sessions would be beneficial. This could involve scheduling a specific number of additional sessions or moving to an open-ended arrangement, tailored to your ongoing needs.
My standard fee is £70 per session, whether in person, online, or over the phone.
