Jo Read, BACP

Jo Read is a counsellor with eight years' experience who helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression and life changes. She also supports those dealing with relationship strain, grief, trauma, addiction and self-esteem concerns. Jo works with issues linked to ageing and geriatric concerns, caregiver stress, cancer, end-of-life matters and loneliness. Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.

Jo trained in therapeutic counselling and holds the Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling awarded by the Counselling and Psychotherapy Awarding Body, and she is a registered member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP). She combines person-centred practice with techniques from mindfulness, psychodynamic work and emotionally focused approaches to help people better understand feelings and patterns of relating.

In the room she uses open questions, reflection and summarising to help people clarify their concerns and set their own agenda. Jo describes counselling as a two-way process where the client’s experience shapes the work and the counsellor responds with empathy and honesty. She believes in working within agreed boundaries and reviewing the counselling plan as things change.

Jo also brings a background in social work and many years of youth and community work, education and mental health services. She takes monthly supervision and maintains her own personal counselling as part of her professional practice.

The first session is used to decide whether to work together and to complete an initial assessment and counselling agreement. Jo aims to help people find their own answers and reduce psychological distress through talking and agreed therapeutic tools.

Therapeutic approaches and how they work online

The person-centred approach focuses on a respectful, non-judgemental relationship. The counsellor listens, mirrors back what she hears and helps the client set the agenda, so people feel able to explore difficult emotions and decide what matters most to them.

Emotionally-Focused Therapy helps people identify core feelings and patterns in relationships. It supports work around intimacy, grief and connection by naming emotions and testing new ways of responding to others.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Jo will discuss what feels most useful and adapt methods to match the client's goals and preferences. This is a collaborative process where they decide together what to try and review progress as they go.

Practical benefits of online therapy include greater flexibility and easier fitting of sessions into a busy life, which can help people keep regular appointments. Online work can also allow shorter check-ins when needed or avoid travel time. The original biography does not list specific session formats, so please confirm the available formats before booking to ensure they fit your needs.