Hi, I’m Jo. I offer psychotherapy and counselling from an integrative perspective, having over 20 years of experience of supporting young people, adults, and families with a range of difficulties.

I have specialist training in attachment and trauma, CBT, person centred therapy, somatic approaches and transactional analysis.

I believe that one size does not fit all and therapy is tailored to suit the needs of the individual.  I offer a warm, collaborative trauma informed approach to therapy.

 A member of the BACP and UKCP (Advanced Clinical Trainee), I work with anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, and relationship challenges.

People seek therapy for a variety of reasons, whether it’s to help with depression or anxiety, a sense of feeling lost, identity exploration, relationships or just seeking to change something about themselves.

Psychotherapy offers a confidential, steady space to slow down, listen closely to yourself, and make sense of what has shaped you — so that new ways of living and relating can become possible.  I offer a warm, safe and non-judgemental space to support you with these matters.

I work with a wide range of people but have a particular interest in identity, adoption (being an adoptive parent myself), relationships and the ways we learn to adapt to the systems and families we grow up in.  I draw from integrative approaches, weaving together different models in a way that is tailored to you rather than expecting you to fit a formula.

At the heart of my practice are values of curiosity, respect, and collaboration.  I don’t see you as “the problem” to be fixed, but as a person doing your best in conditions that may have been — or still are — very difficult. Together, we can gently turn towards what has felt too much to hold alone.

If you are curious about thoughts or desires you have which you experience as unsettling, or are feeling overwhelmed with stress, anxiety, or negative feelings, I believe therapy can help. You may experience this as intrusive thoughts, upsetting dreams, nagging doubts or physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, trembling, digestive problems, or other anxiety-related issues. You may notice patterns of behaviour which frustrate you.

By paying attention to the body and the subconscious mind, it is possible to find a more peaceful and satisfying way of being in the world. My own experience of psychotherapy has enabled me to live a fuller, more authentic and satisfying life, and I am passionate about supporting you on your journey of self-discovery.

Here is a list of therapeutic concerns in which I have personal and/or professional experience. This list is not exhaustive and I am also interested in working with you on issues not listed here, but it may help you to decide if working with me will be helpful for you:

Anxiety; Stress; Depression; Relationship breakdown; Saying no and maintaining healthy boundaries; Low self esteem; Substance abuse; Sports performance; Ethical non-monogamy (ENM); Sex positivity; LGBT+ identities and experiences; Alcoholism in the family; Making meaning at mid-life; Living with the consequences of childhood neglect; Loss and grief; Emerging from co-dependent relationships.

My therapy room is a warm and non-judgemental space where you can expect to feel welcome and respected. I am a Member of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and adhere to their code of ethics. Prior to my training at the Manchester Institute for Psychotherapy I worked for over a decade as a researcher and lecturer in universities, specialising in Biomedicine.

I help people find clarity and calm, cope better with change and say no when they want to. Gain perspective and develop boundaries so you can make informed, mindful choices about the life you want to live.  

Perhaps some of this sounds familiar…

• You’ve been feeling anxious or stressed
• Maybe you feel overwhelmed by life’s challenges
• You feel stuck in the same patterns of behaviour and can’t work out how to change this
• You feel disconnected from yourself and others sometimes
• You’re not thriving

We can all have times when we struggle – counselling and therapy do not need to be a last resort.    I can help you understand yourself better and make sense of your changing landscape.  

I am an LGBTQ+ affirmative, sex and fat positive counsellor. In addition to core training, I have continued my studies with specific training in bereavement and loss; gender, relationship and sexuality diversity and interpersonal neurobiology (how the brain and body impact how we connect with each other).

I firmly believe that you write your own life story. But it can feel hard to face things alone or make sense of the challenges life can present.   You’ll find me curious, human, professional and compassionate in how I work.

After a long, and sometimes stressful career in industry, my transition to psychotherapy might not be an obvious one.  Helping individuals realise their true career potential was always the most enjoyable part of my previous roles.  As a psychotherapist, I get the opportunity to focus all my attention on providing support for individuals to discover the best they can be.

I offer non-judgemental support throughout the therapeutic process, and have worked with clients through a wide range of issues that include stress, anxiety, depression, relationship breakdowns, trauma and abuse.

I passionately believe that creating a safe space for therapy built on feeling comfortable, secure, and respected allows a positive relationship to be forged between therapist and client. I have an integrative approach to therapy built on Transactional Analysis (TA), a model that uses very accessible language. I find working within this framework clients start to become aware and examine various thoughts, behaviours, and emotions which might hinder their ability to thrive.

Having benefited from TA therapy myself to resolve some of the life-long habits that have held me back, I would encourage anyone to explore the potential that therapy can offer.

“We cannot see things as they are, for we are compelled…to see things as we are.”

Are you feeling anxious or stressed?

Do you struggle with depression, or feelings of inadequacy?

Are you stuck in patterns of behaviour which no longer serve you?

I understand that it takes a huge amount of courage to ask for help, and passionately believe therapy can provide the first step in taking control of your life.

Having worked in Arts and Entertainment for thirty-five years, I am professionally trained in voice, movement and role play.

I provide a relationally focussed psychotherapy, which incorporates mindfulness and bodywork.

My approach is to be beside you, encouraging you to identify and understand the feelings, thoughts and behaviour which prevent you from having the life you deserve.

My aim is to help you build the resilience to meet the significant challenges life poses today and give you the tools you need to bring the healing you desire.

After working with me, you can expect to:

• Feel more comfortable asking for needs to be met.
• Be able to say no to unwanted requests.
• Feel less anxious in social situations.
• Sleep better.
• Not be haunted by guilt and shame.
• Understand yourself.
• Recognise self- sabotaging behaviour.
• Drop coping mechanisms that no longer help.

I have a special interest in working with clients who have unresolved childhood issues or trauma, which may result in struggles with anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, relationship problems, eating disorders or other somatic symptoms.  I offer a warm and supportive environment in which it is safe to express, explore and ultimately grow.

I am a member of the UKCP and ITAA and subscribe to their code of conduct.

As required, I am in personal therapy and am supported in my work through regular supervision.

Helping people feel better about their lives is one of my greatest passions. In addition to supporting someone through difficult times, I enjoy seeing the personal growth and positive changes that can occur during the course of their journey.

My psychotherapy training is in Integrative Transactional Analysis. I draw on a variety of tools and techniques to create a therapeutic approach that is tailored to meet individual needs.

Within the past 15 years, I have experienced many rewarding work opportunities that enabled me to support people to overcome social and emotional challenges and achieve personal growth. Before training at the Manchester Institute for Psychotherapy, I have worked within; emotional health and wellbeing services, drug and alcohol treatment services, charities, family services, prison and community services.

I am committed to providing a safe and accepting space where you can express your feelings and process them, within a supportive and trusted therapeutic relationship. You will be provided with a confidential and respectful environment to speak in. I have a non-judgemental approach and respect individuality.

Therapy allows you to explore your thoughts and feelings, improve your self-awareness, overcome social and emotional challenges, and provides opportunities to fulfil your potential.

Thank you for considering me to be your therapist. The reasons we have for seeking therapy are as varied and complex as the people seeking. You may be facing challenges in your life and relationships you wish to overcome. Or want to experience greater creativity, richer relationships, or simply have more ‘good’ days.

Within our relationship, I aim to create an environment where you feel comfortable and safe to express, explore and examine your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours both past and present.

I am driven to help myself and others find freedom from the patterns of the past, which existed once to protect us and now may have become self-limiting and even hurtful. 

There is no experience more meaningful than being witness to a person’s return to their self. I believe that if you commit to this journey, you will move into the future with deeper awareness and greater appreciation, able to make better choices for yourself and with the people you love.

I am a huge advocate for the value of this work. Alongside being qualified in psychotherapy (PGDip). I attend therapy myself and continually commit to an ongoing journey of growth every day, which allows me to show up alongside you, discovering together what it is you find important and how best you want to live your life.

To me, psychotherapy opens out into the most important questions in existence, framed to be entirely personal for each of us.

Before training at The Manchester Institute for Psychotherapy, I focused solely on my artwork after achieving my BA (Hons) in Cornwall. I’ve always had a love and passion for painting and all the dramatic mythological stories within the arts and my own unconscious. However, something was always psychologically missing for me; through the discovery of dream analysis, I began my psychotherapy journey, which changed my life for the better.

I completely understand what it is like to sit in a chair and feel vulnerable. For some phenomenal reason, sharing our vulnerability brings great strength, self-awareness and sometimes even clarity.

It’s been an honour to train and now work at The Manchester Institute for Psychotherapy.  My training is within Integrative Transactional Analysis, though I do have many other areas of interest which I draw upon within my therapeutic practice. I have a great interest in Jungian analysis and dream work. I believe that the body, mind and spirit support one another, which is why I also take a more holistic approach using phenomenological inquiry. (Focusing on behaviours, words, tones of voice, body language, and other non verbal responses).

Whatever you choose to share will be held completely within a confidential and respected environment. I take a non-judgemental approach when working with my clients, and respect their individuality. I offer a safe and secure space whilst I accompany you on your journey. I will be there as a support and guide for you throughout the whole process; you will lead the way and choose when to open certain doors, and I will respect your choice when choosing to do so or not.

Face to face therapy is how I choose to work as I find it is far more rewarding, as it holds a much more potent therapeutic experience. However, I am aware times are changing. I do offer very limited times and spaces for those individuals with exceptional circumstances for online therapy.

I am a UKCP registered Psychotherapist with over 5 years of clinical experience. I believe therapy is less about “fixing” an old version of yourself and more about the brave process of becoming who you are now.  I work with individuals and couples, helping them navigate the space between “just managing” and truly living.

I have a particular interest in supporting high functioning individuals who may appear to have it all together but feel stuck, exhausted, or disconnected beneath the surface.  I also work deeply with those navigating the profound identity shifts that come with parenthood or those processing the long term impact of trauma.  I bring a blend of clinical depth and warm, human connection to our work; I do not advocate for any process I haven’t personally experienced and believe in.

My practice is neuro-affirmative and LGBTQIA+ inclusive.  I welcome the whole you, providing a space where you don’t have to mask or perform to be understood.

My approach is rooted in Integrative Transactional Analysis, a relational framework that helps you understand your “life script” and the survival strategies that may no longer serve you.  I have a special interest in Psycho-trauma (currently undergoing advanced training with Dr. Ralf at the Trauma Institute, Leipzig) and Perinatal Psychotherapy (trained with Dr. Emma Haynes).