Joanna Cottrell, BACP

Joanna Cottrell is a UK counsellor who helps people facing stress, anxiety, low mood and confidence struggles. She supports those dealing with relationship and career difficulties, addiction concerns, grief, and many life changes. Joanna uses straightforward, calm conversations to help people work out what matters most to them.

Joanna creates a warm, non-judgemental space where clients can talk through thoughts and feelings. She believes reaching out takes courage and treats that first step with respect. Sessions focus on practical next steps as well as exploring what drives current habits and reactions.

Her background includes eight years working in counselling roles. Joanna draws on a mix of conversational and structured approaches to suit each person. She aims to balance short-term goals with addressing deeper patterns that affect wellbeing.

In practice Joanna uses methods such as Client-Centred Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy alongside Motivational Interviewing and Solution-Focused techniques. She also works with trauma-informed ideas when needed. These approaches are chosen to match what each client says they want to change.

People who come to Joanna often want clearer coping strategies, steadier self-esteem, or help managing life transitions and caregiver strain. She also supports those concerned about ageing and geriatric issues, chronic illness and pain, and related family role changes. Joanna speaks English and works from the United Kingdom.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online sessions

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting. The therapist follows the person's lead and helps them make sense of feelings and choices, which can help with anxiety, low self-esteem and life transitions.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) looks at links between thoughts, feelings and actions. It uses simple exercises and practical strategies to change unhelpful patterns, often useful for anxiety, depression and sleep problems.

Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative, non-confrontational way to increase motivation for change. It can help with addictions, career decisions and making sustained behaviour changes.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Joanna will talk with each person about goals, preferences and what feels most useful. Together they decide whether to focus on short-term goals, skills practice, or exploring deeper issues.

Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, for example fitting a lunchtime check-in or reducing travel time. It can also allow shorter phone or message-based check-ins where appropriate, or sessions that prioritise talking without video when that is preferable. Confirm current session options before booking so you know what formats are offered.