Jo Read , BACP

Jo Read works with people facing stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, depression and a wide range of life challenges. She supports clients with relationship and intimacy concerns, grief, trauma and abuse, addictions, eating and body image difficulties, and issues connected to gender and identity. Jo also helps people struggling with career pressure, compassion fatigue, ADHD, and coping with major life changes.

Jo trained in therapeutic counselling and holds the BACP credential from the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists. She also has a background as a social worker and many years working in youth and community settings. That mix of roles informs a practical, down-to-earth style in sessions. She has eight years of counselling experience and many more years supporting young people and adults in education, mental health and social care.

Her approach is rooted in client-centred care and close listening. Jo uses open questions, reflection and summarising to help people say what matters to them. This helps clients notice patterns, clarify priorities and choose steps they want to try between sessions.

Jo draws on emotionally-focused and psychodynamic ideas when they fit a client’s needs, and she brings mindfulness practices into the room when helpful. Sessions are collaborative - goals and the way of working are agreed together and reviewed as needed.

During the first appointment Jo and the client check whether to work together and complete an initial assessment and counselling agreement. This gives a clear structure for the work and sets out what each person can expect from the relationship.

How Jo's approaches work online

Client-centred therapy focuses on listening and respect and helps people explore what matters to them. Online this can mean reflective conversations, goal-setting and agreed actions between sessions to help shift stuck patterns.

Emotionally-focused therapy places attention on feelings and attachment experiences to deepen emotional understanding and improve close relationships. In remote sessions Jo can guide people to notice emotions, practise new ways of responding and use exercises that open up stronger emotional connection.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Jo will discuss different methods and help decide what matches a person’s goals and preferences. That choice is made collaboratively and can change as progress is made.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions need less bandwidth and can fit into a short break. Live chat and text-based messaging work for brief check-ins, written reflection or when writing helps express things more clearly. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, care duties or travel while keeping continuity of support.