Jo is a UKCP registered psychotherapist with 20 years post qualifying experience in psychotherapy and over 16 years post qualifying experience in both the training and clinical supervision of counsellors and psychotherapists. Jo holds additional professional qualifications in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and couples counselling.
Jo’s first full time counselling post was at Sandwell Rape Crisis Centre where she stayed for 6 years from 1996-2002, working with women and girls who had experienced sexual violence. This included one-to-one psychotherapy, telephone counselling and therapeutic group work as well as the training/supervision of volunteers and placement counsellors. Jo was also actively involved in the Rape Crisis movement, including being on the board of directors of the Rape Crisis Federation of Wales and England (1998-2000).
Since 2002 Jo has been employed on a part-time basis by a prominent inner city Birmingham College of Further Education, where she coordinates a busy counselling and support service for students. Over the last 14 years, Jo has taught on various counselling courses in Birmingham (including nine years of teaching on an integrative diploma at Halesowen College) and presently Jo teaches on the Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling in Reddtich Worcestershire. Jo is the external counsellor for Bromsgrove school in Worcestershire. Students and staff can contact Jo on an as needed basis and access a confidential service.
Jo has extensive experience in clinical supervision (see supervision) and has delivered a wide variety of training over the last 20 years to many organisations, schools and colleges. (see training)
Jo’s private practice is in South Birmingham, she offers integrative psychotherapy, CBT, couples counselling, clinical supervision for counsellors and psychotherapists, group supervision, continuing professional development groups for counsellors and psychotherapists and training/consultancy for schools and consultation on emotional well being and counselling related issues.
Jo is critical of the biomedical model understanding of emotional distress and actively campaigns against the narrative of diagnosis and disorder. Jo is passionate about responding appropriately and respectfully to people’s experiences.
For a more detailed and up-to-date account of Jo’s professional experience please see her linkedin page