Hello, I’m Jo.
I am a BACP Registered Counsellor based between Wantage & Abingdon, South Oxfordshire.
You may be reading my website because you’re feeling that counselling could be helpful for you at this moment in your life. In addition to talking with friends and family, we can often benefit from some extra support. This is where counselling can be useful, when we are facing challenging emotions and situations.
The working relationship you form with a counsellor will be really important for you. Knowing that you can completely trust that person with your thoughts and feelings will help you feel safe and will allow you to comfortably explore whatever is requiring your attention right now.
Working Together
I adopt a person-centred approach which simply means we focus on what you want to talk about – after all, this is about you. My role is to truly listen, to better understand how life feels for you. I will ask questions that are designed to increase my understanding of your experiences and feelings.
What I won’t do is tell you that I know how you feel, tell you how you should feel or give you advice on how to fix it. I will stay right beside you as we work through whatever is troubling you. Through the process of counselling, we will explore ways to build your inner resources and develop individual and personal approaches that you can take into your future.
Before you decide if we would work well together, I offer a free initial session. This 30 minute meeting would not commit you to working with me; you might like to think of it a bit like taking a car for a test drive, see how it feels for you.
After that, sessions are 50 minutes every week from my therapy room in East Hanney. This is within easy reach of Abingdon, Didcot and Wantage. This session fee is £50.00*.
If you have difficulty travelling to East Hanney, I’d be happy to discuss the option of working from your home. Please get in touch if you want to talk about this.
*Concessions are available, including for counselling students, so please do ask.
About Me
I am a qualified counsellor supporting clients in South Oxfordshire. I work from my private therapy room in East Hanney, where I have created a calm and safe space.
I have experience working with clients who have wanted support in the following areas;
Bereavement
Low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness
Depression
Anxiety
ADHD
Autism
Stress
Hopelessness
Relationship issues
It is really important to me that you feel heard and safe during our work. I will actively listen to try and understand how life feels for you and will ask questions that are designed to help me appreciate your experiences and feelings.
Bereavement Support
I have many years experience specialising in working with bereaved clients.
When someone dies, many of us are able to work through our grief alongside family and friends.
However, when that death is sudden or unexpected, or perhaps the person was quite young or we had a complex relationship with them, the grieving process may feel more difficult. Support from outside your usual network may help you to process your thoughts and feelings as you navigate through your grief.
Unresolved Grief
Unresolved grief can have a lasting negative impact on our lives. No matter how long ago the bereavement took place we can still benefit from support in trying to work through it in the present and finding greater peace for ourselves.
Sudden and Traumatic Death
Following a sudden and traumatic death, I can offer a one off visit to your home, for up to 4-5 immediate family members. It may help to think of it a little like ‘First Aid’; up to an hour and a half when everyone can, if they choose to, have an opportunity to say what they're thinking and how they're feeling.
It can be a really useful and healing time amongst the shock and disbelief of those first few dreadfully difficult days.
If you think I may be able to help you process a bereavement, please do get in touch via the contact form below.
Training, Qualifications, and Experience
BACP – Certificate of Proficiency
CPCAB – Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
Cruse Bereavement Care – Certificate in Group Supervision
Wantage Counselling Service – Certificate in Counselling Studies
Cruse Bereavement Care – Certificate in Awareness in Bereavement Care
State Enrolled Nurse
I am a registered member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) and have adopted and work within their Ethical Framework. An important aspect of my BACP membership is my commitment to the continuous development of my professional knowledge through regular additional training.
I have an Enhanced DBS check (Disclosure & Barring Service).
I attend regular professional supervision for all aspects of my work.
Contact Me
If you feel that I can support you, would like to book an initial 30 minute free session, or want to talk to me about any other aspects of working together, please do get in touch with me:
07789.072063
Please be assured that no-one else has access to my emails or voicemail, so any and all contact will be strictly confidential.
Alternatively, fill out the below contact form and I will respond as soon as I am able to.