Joanne Saunders

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MBACP, BSc (Hons) - Young People & Adults Counsellor
location_on Chichester, West Sussex, PO20

About me

Hi, I’m Joanne, and I know that life isn’t always straightforward. Whether you’re figuring out who you are, managing anxiety or low mood, navigating relationships, or just feeling stuck, I believe we all deserve to feel seen, heard and supported through the challenges life throws at us. That’s why I offer counselling that meets you where you are, with warmth, empathy and absolutely no judgement.

I’m a person-centred counsellor with a relaxed, down to earth approach. I integrate person-centred, Gestalt and CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) into my work where helpful, combining practical tools and coping strategies with a space to explore your thoughts and feelings more deeply.
My style is collaborative and adaptable. I’ll never push you to be anything other than yourself. Whether we’re working through something big or just trying to make sense of it all, I’ll walk alongside you at your pace.

I’m particularly experienced in supporting teenagers and students. Alongside private practice, I also work for a Hampshire based charity offering counselling to 11 to 17 year olds in schools and in the community. My clients often describe me as someone they can talk to easily, someone who "gets it" and helps them feel safe enough to open up, even if talking feels hard at first.

If you're thinking about starting counselling or even just curious about how it might help, you’re very welcome to get in touch. I offer a free 20 minute call so you can ask any questions, share a bit about what’s going on, and see if I feel like the right fit for you. There’s no pressure, just a chance to connect and see where things go.

Training, qualifications & experience

  • BSc (Hons) in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, University of Portsmouth
  • Diploma of Higher Education in Gestalt Counselling, University of Portsmouth
  • Diploma in Counselling Young People and Children
  • Registered Member of British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy, MBACP
  • Full clinical insurance 
  • Full DBS
  • ICO Member
  • Safeguarding

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Therapies offered

Fees

£55.00 per session
Free initial telephone or online session

Concessions offered for

  • check_circle Students
  • check_circle Trainee counsellors

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

Please contact me about my availabilty for in person and online. 

Chichester, West Sussex, PO20

Type of session

In person
Online

Types of client

Young people (13-17)
Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)

Key details

DBS check info

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

Online platforms

Zoom
Joanne Saunders
Joanne Saunders