Jo Read, BACP

Jo Read is a counsellor with eight years' experience who helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression and life changes. She supports people with issues such as self-esteem, addiction, grief, trauma, relationship and intimacy concerns, and challenges linked to gender and identity. Jo also works with long-term health and ageing concerns, and helps those coping with cancer, caregiving strain and end-of-life matters.

Jo trained in therapeutic counselling and holds the BACP credential from the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists. She previously worked for many years in youth and community settings and in social care, and brings that background into her practice. Jo takes part in regular supervision and personal counselling to reflect on her work.

Her style centres on a client‑centred approach that uses empathy, open questions and careful listening. She seeks to help people name what matters to them, and to support them as they decide what to change. Sessions focus on what a person wants to achieve and on building clearer ways of relating to themselves and others.

Practical steps are taken together at the first meeting, including an initial assessment and a counselling agreement. Jo reviews this plan during the work so goals can change as needed. She encourages questions at any time and aims for clear, respectful boundaries in the therapeutic relationship.

People come to Jo for help with mood disorders, panic, ADHD, anger, career strain and feelings of isolation or shame. She combines talking with reflective listening and appropriate interventions agreed with each person to help them move forward.

How Jo's approaches work in online counselling

Client‑centred therapy places the person at the heart of the work. The counsellor listens without judgement, asks open questions and helps people clarify what they want to change. This approach is useful for many concerns including anxiety, low self‑esteem and life direction.

Emotionally‑Focused Therapy focuses on identifying and working with strong feelings and attachment patterns. It helps people understand their emotional responses and find new ways of relating to themselves and others, which can be useful for relationship stress and intimacy issues.

Finding the right approach is a shared process. Jo will talk with each person about their goals and preferences, and together they will decide which methods to try and adjust as needed. The aim is a collaborative plan that fits the person's needs rather than a fixed path.

Online work can make it easier to fit counselling into a busy life, for example by reducing travel time and allowing shorter check‑ins around work or care commitments. The original profile does not list specific session formats, so confirm the available options before booking. Registered or accredited professionals often offer sessions that suit different routines and technology comforts, and Jo will help choose what works best.