About me
About me and my therapy practice:
Are you looking for a non-judgemental space to work through life’s challenges?
I am Jo, an Integrative Counsellor based in Great Malvern at Bloom Space (near the theatre). If you are struggling, I’m here to support you in gaining clarity and strength.
I began training as a counsellor in 2019 after discovering how helpful therapy was for myself when going through a challenging time. Prior to counselling, I have wide work and life experience including psychology research and work in the field of Animal Behaviour and Welfare, with a particular interest in primates and related work in environmental education.
Practice description:
I am an integrative therapist, drawing from a range of approaches to support you in a way that feels right for you.
At the heart of my work is Gestalt therapy, supported by psychodynamic theory, Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), and elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
Gestalt therapy is based on three core principles that focus on your immediate experience and our therapeutic relationship:
Phenomenology - exploring your present-moment experience without judgement or assumptions
Field theory - understanding you within your wider context, including relationships, history, environment, and life circumstances
Dialogue - working together in an open, authentic, equal relationship
This approach supports deeper awareness of yourself, your relationships, and your world. I also use psychodynamic ideas to explore how past experiences shape current patterns, CBT tools to support awareness, understanding, and practical change, and CFT to develop self-compassion, reduce self-criticism, and build emotional safety.
We can also work creatively where it feels helpful, using art materials and other expressive approaches to explore thoughts and feelings in ways that don’t always rely on words.
How I can help:
I have experience supporting adults with:
- Anxiety, panic attacks, and social anxiety
- Depression, low mood, and burnout
- Bereavement and loss
- Workplace Stress
- Neurodiversity
- Relationship issues, divorce, affairs or separation
- Issues surrounding identity and sexuality
- Caring or parenting issues
- Difficult past life experiences, abuse or trauma
- Suicidal thoughts or self-harm
- Health issues
The Practical Stuff:
- Flexible Sessions: In-person, online, telephone, or "walking therapy" outdoors.
- Professional: BACP member following strict ethical guidelines.
- Accessible: Reduced rates available for low incomes.
- Connection First: I offer a free 20-minute consultation to ensure we are the right fit.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications & Membership
- MSc in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapy Studies
- The MSc is a qualification at Level 6. I'm currently working towards Level 7 to become a psychotherapist.
- MSc Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare
- BSc Psychology
- Registered Member of the BACP
Ways of Working
Flexible options include:
- In-person sessions
- Online therapy
- Telephone sessions
- Walk and talk therapy
Continued Professional Development
Training in areas including: addiction, anger, bereavement, eating disorders, couples and relationship counselling, online counselling, creative approaches, walk and talk therapy, suicide awareness, diversity, and emotional wellbeing.
I have worked with both short-term "Talking Therapies"/IAPT clients and long-term clients in a university-based setting, in the charitable sector and in private practice.
My approach is grounded, supportive, and collaborative, offering a space to explore, understand, and move forward at your own pace.
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
Estrangement from children, parents or other family members.
Therapies offered
Fees
£60.00 per session
Additional information
I have a few subsidised spaces and can offer concessions to those on a lower income.
Further information
I offer a free, 20 minute session, by telephone or online, to discuss your situation, consider whether we are a good fit and to discuss the practicalities of therapy.
