Jo Read, BACP

Jo Read offers counselling for a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, grief and issues linked to identity and self-esteem. She is experienced with addiction, trauma and abuse, eating and body-image worries, anger, mood conditions and life transitions. Jo works in a calm, respectful way so people can say what matters to them without being judged.

Jo trained in therapeutic counselling and gained a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling in 2016, and she is a registered member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP). She also has a background in social work and many years working in youth and community settings, education, mental health and social care. This wide experience informs how she listens and responds.

Her style is person-centred. She uses empathy, acceptance and openness to help people find their own answers. Sessions make space for honest reflection, and Jo uses careful listening, questions, reflection and summary to help clients notice patterns and options.

Initial sessions include an assessment and a counselling agreement so goals and boundaries are clear. That early meeting is also a chance to decide whether to continue together, and to ask any practical questions about how the work will run.

Jo has monthly supervision and engages in her own counselling to support her practice. She holds a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced certificate and relevant insurance. Her approach aims to help people feel heard, regain a sense of choice and begin to repair how they relate to themselves and others.

How Jo's approaches translate to online counselling

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on creating a warm, non-judgemental space where the client leads the conversation and the counsellor responds with empathy and acceptance. This suits issues like low self-esteem, life changes and relationship concerns by helping people find their own answers.

Emotionally-Focused ideas support noticing, naming and working with strong feelings. This can be useful for grief, trauma responses and difficulties with closeness or emotional regulation.

Existential Therapy helps people look at meaning, choice and identity when facing life transitions or questions about purpose. It encourages honest reflection about values and what matters next.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Jo will collaborate with each person to agree which methods feel most useful for their goals and preferences. That decision is revisited as therapy progresses so the plan stays relevant.

The original biography does not specify which session formats are provided, so confirm available options before booking. Online counselling can make it easier to fit sessions into busy days, reduce travel time and allow shorter or more regular check-ins when needed. It also means people can join from different locations, which is useful for international clients.