About me
Are you feeling overwhelmed by cultural expectations, identity pressures. or the emotional weight of your relationships? I'm Joanne Doyle, an integrative counsellor offering a warm, affirming space for clients navigating complex identities and experiences. My practice is particularly supportive of people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ individuals, and adults living with disabilities including those adjusting to long-term health conditions or navigating self-worth and visibility in a world that often misunderstands.
As someone who has lived with a visual impairment, I understand how physical, emotional, and social barriers can impact confidence, independence, and mental health. My journey into counselling is underpinned by a deep commitment to making therapy feel accessible, empowering and non-judgemental for people who have often been 'on the margins' - whether due to race, gender, disability, or sexuality.
Willow, my guide dog, is a friendly soul and a much-loved part of the therapy room. She brings warmth, calm, and connection — qualities that many people find comforting in themselves. She always wags her tail when greeting clients, and you're welcome to interact with her if that feels right for you. She loves people and is happy to offer a quiet moment of companionship or simply rest peacefully nearby.
Many clients find that the presence of an animal can bring a grounding sense of ease during therapy. That said, if you’re not comfortable around dogs, please don’t let that hold you back. I can easily make arrangements for Willow to be in another part of the building.
Before qualifying as a counsellor, I worked in radio broadcasting, adult education, and healthcare advice, which developed my skills in listening with curiosity, communicating sensitively, and adapting support to individual needs.
I use an integrative approach, which means I draw on several evidence-based models (such as person-centred, psychodynamic, and CBT-informed tools) to suit your individual needs. I can support you with:
- Cultural identity and family pressure
- Chronic illness or disability-related anxiety
- Navigating coming out, gender identity, or internalised shame
- Low self-esteem, burnout, or imposter syndrome
- Loss, relationship issues, or feeling 'stuck'
I work both short and long term depending on your goals
Who I work with
I especially welcome:
- Young adults navigating cultural or faith based pressures
- People with long-term health conditions or disabilities
- LGBTQ+ adults seeking an affirming therapist
- Clients exploring past trauma or difficult family dynamics
If you've ever felt like therapy "wasn't for someone like me", I want to reassure you that you belong here. Here is how one client described working with me:
"I have been working with Joanne for well over a year. I am a transgender woman struggling with anxiety issues and I needed a therapist who not only understands the challenges of being transgender but seeks to understand the whole person and the wider issues going on in their lives. This Joanne does very well, showing deep empathy and helping me understand my own feelings.
She is also very responsive to my changing needs, understanding when I need help through an immediate crisis and when I need support working towards long term goals and building plans for the future. I feel I can be completely open talking to her and always leave our sessions feeling more positive than I did when I arrived. I would strongly recommend her, especially to someone struggling with the challenges of being in a minority group."
Practical information
- I offer in-person sessions in Birmingham (B9 & B24) and online therapy via Zoom
- I provide a free 15 minute consultation call so we can see if we're a good fit
- Sessions are £60 per hour and offered weekly
Final Invitation
If you're looking for a therapist who listens without judgement and understands the layered experiences that shape your identity, I'd love to hear from you. You don't need to struggle on your own - let's talk about what healing and hope look like for you.
Training, qualifications & experience
Professional Standards:
I am a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and adhere to the BACP ethical guidelines (BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice for Counsellors and Psychotherapists).
DBS checked (Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Certificate)
Academic Qualifications:
Level V Advanced Diploma In Psychotherapeutic Integrative Counselling (2010 – 2011)
Level IV Diploma in Integrative Counselling (2008 – 2010)
City & Guilds 7306 Teaching Certificate (1997 – 1998)
Bachelor's degree, Theology and Religious Studies (1989 – 1992)
Continuing Professional Development:
I regularly attend courses/training which inform my practice on counselling, psychotherapy, and clinical supervision.
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
Additional information
£70 for individuals - one hour
Payment Methods: Cash or bank transfer/e-payment.
For trainee counsellors and students, I offer a concessionary fee of £60.
When I work
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Further information
Recent Client Testimonials:
Client A:
Quote: "I contacted Joanne at a time of great vulnerability and was immediately reassured by her clear and supportive information to assist in arranging my first session. I found her to be easy to build trust and rapport with, and I was able to feel safe and supported very quickly.
So quickly indeed that I have been able to change my frame of mind from one of hopelessness, to be able to build resilience and take control of my life and my future again. I was surprised at how well I was able to work toward positive change, as I have used other counselling services before. I am considerably grateful for this improvement as I journey as a father to three young children, already feeling stronger as a result of counselling."
Client B:
Quote: “I wouldn’t say that I was a counselling sceptic, but rather someone who doesn’t like to admit that I’m not 100 percent, 100 percent of the time. So, I went into counselling with a very open mind and yet at the same time I did not expect it to work. How wrong could I have been?!
From meeting with Joanne, I have understood some of the reasoning behind my low points, how to spot them before they become a really big problem and also learnt how I am accountable for the way I feel. This is quite a contrast to the person who came in the door at the start of the sessions, who believed that everyone else’s behaviour and actions are indicative of why I am the way I am.
Joanne talks to you like a human, challenges you to think in a different - and often positive - way, but most importantly supports you and is respectful at every turn. I was keen to not get reliant on speaking with someone to help me, so my course of counselling was relatively short, but I know I have a friendly ear available in future should I need it. And, most importantly, I use the techniques and advice provided by Joanne on a daily basis.
For anyone experiencing feeling low, who can’t pinpoint why or can’t seem to cry for support loud enough with those closest to you – speak to Joanne. She’s great and you won’t regret it.”
