Support on your journey Get In Touch 1-2-1 Counselling Finding your way Schedule a Session Reflective space Skills sessions with time to breathe. Schedule a Session FAQs What are your fees? My standard fees for a 50 minute session are £40. Stand-alone EFT sessions are £50 for up to 50 minutes. What's the difference between the counselling and skill sessions? The 1-2-1 counselling sessions offer us a chance to talk through with support whatever you need to talk through. The reflective skill sessions are a bit more practical and help you to experiement with different tools to help you on your wellbeing journey. Can I book an initial assessment? It can be hard to decide who you want to work with, so in the first instance, I offer an assessment session which gives you the chance to see how it might feel for us to work together. (This is £40). What qualifications do you have? Specific to counselling , I have a degree in counselling and have also completed further training in different areas such as loss and grief and suicidal ideation.I have completed additional training on working creatively with clients and also on working with clients on the Autistic Spectrum . I have both personal and professional experience of working with people on the autistic spectrum. I have worked with many clients struggling with mental health issues, both adults and young people. I am a registered member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists and abide by their ethical code and code of practice. I am a divisional member of the Children and young people, spirituality and private practice divisions too. ​ I have a current enhanced DBS certificate, as well as a Mental Health First Aid Certificate. I have completed the ASIST training (Applied suicide intervention skills training). I hold a TA 101 certificate, from the European Association for Transactional Analysis. I am a qualified EFT practitioner. ​ ​

EFT What is EFT? EFT is short for Emotional Freedom Techniques. It's also sometimes referred to as 'Tapping'. It's based around the meridian points in the body that are used in acupuncture. What are your fees? I offer EFT as a stand alone session/sessions without counselling. EFT can work quickly and effectively, and I can offer a session or two where I train you in the technique to use yourself.My fees for EFT are currently £50. What can EFT be used for? EFT can be a really useful way of working with a range of issues. It can be used for feelings such as anxiety and anger, as well as more specific issues such as a phobia. It also offers a safe way in working with trauma. Can I book an EFT Session? Yes, contact me by email or text message and please let me know you are wanting an EFT session specifically.

Emotional Freedom Technique An alternative way of treating physical pain and emotional distress I have recently trained and qualified in EFT, which means I can now offer this valuable resource to my clients. ​ EFT is a safe way to treat trauma , and can also be really helpful for pain and emotional hurt. ​ It is also referred to as 'tapping' or 'acupressure'. Tapping the body can treat pain and re-balance the energy in our body. Schedule a Session

Neurodiversity Living life on the autistic spectrum Depending on whether you have a formal diagnosis, as well as when you were diagnosed , you or someone you know may use various terms about the 'condition' . My son was diagnosed over 20 years ago via a hospital route, so we were told he had 'High functioning Autism/Asperger's Syndrome. In more recent communications, we hear more about neurotypical and neurodiverse characteristics, or simply being on the spectrum. ​ Whatever language you choose to use, individuals and their families can have a mixed reaction to diagnosis- it can bring relief or further anxiety. You may wonder what the future holds. I've been on that journey too, both personally - as a parent and a friend - and professionally. This means I've had to make sense of some of the jargon around this area and link the theory into practice. I've been fortunate to gain insights from many people along the way. ​ Regardless of whether you have an official diagnosis, or are just wondering about this, I can help you make sense of the situation. If you have a loved one affected by this diagnosis, I can offer you support as you come to terms with the diagnosis and what that means for you. ​

Grow with JB Counselling Walking with you on your journey ... So.....why counselling? Does counselling work? That's a very good question! You may have been finding things tricky for a while and are starting to wonder if things will ever change. You might think you're beyond help, or have almost got used to struggling. Or before you commit your time and energy to this, you want to know what evidence is there that this type of therapy works. The good news is that evidence shows that counselling does work -for example NICE guidelines now recognise that counselling can be as effective as CBT or medication for in helping someone who is struggling with depression. Isn't counselling just a bit weird? Yes, the idea of going along to a complete stranger and telling them lots of personal stuff and sharing your feelings can sound a bit different - especially if you've spent some time trying to keep your emotions in check and saying 'I'm fine' if anyone asks. However, that's the great thing about counselling - you get a safe space to talk through all the things that are on your mind, in the way you feel suits you. And as you engage in the process, that's when change can start... What happens in a counselling session? Because clients and their counsellors are all individuals there is no set way of how things happen. I'll try and give you a sense of what might happen if you decide to 'meet' me. Usually we meet together for an informal assessment so we can decide whether we want to work together, and what you might want to work on. We also cover practical issues such as timing of sessions, confidentiality etc. Since COVID-19, I continue to offer sessions via Skype, Zoom, telephone or email. It's up to you what you bring to counselling, and I won't pressurise you to talk about anything in particular. We'll decide together about what we are going to work on and how. The therapeutic process doesn't just happen in the counselling session - you may find yourself reflecting on things at other times, or I may ask you to do some 'homework' in between sessions.

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What happens in a counselling session? Because clients and their counsellors are all individuals there is no set way of how things happen. I'll try and give you a sense of what might happen if you decide to come and see me. Usually we meet together for an informal assessment so we can decide whether we want to work together, and what you might want to work on. We also cover practical issues such as timing of sessions, confidentiality etc. I generally offer my counselling sessions at my home in Highbridge, but can also offer Skype, telephone and email if that suits you better. ***Covid 19 update ** For the foreseeable future, I am unable to offer face to face counselling at my home in Highbridge, but will continue to offer counselling by telephone and on-line. It's up to you what you bring to counselling, and I won't pressurise you to talk about anything in particular. We'll decide together about what we are going to work on and how. So, you might be someone who wants to talk through the issue, or you might prefer to do something more creative. ​ The therapeutic process doesn't just happen in the counselling session - you may find yourself reflecting on things at other times, or I may ask you to do some 'homework' in between sessions. Counselling can be the start of transforming your life, and there's never been a better time to start.

About Me Experienced. Warm. Supportive. I've been working in the counselling field for several years now, and I am a registered member of the BACP. I am also a registered member of the Association of Christian Counsellors. . Before qualifying as a counsellor, a lot of my work involved training and supporting people of all ages - often at stressful times in their lives. Before working in my private practice, I have offered counselling within the NHS and was the lead counsellor at a young people's charity. I am an intergrative and client led counsellor - so we will journey together in a way which suits you.I have different resources that I can offer you as we work together, but our work is led by you and whatever you choose to bring. I am a divisional member of the Spirituality, Children & Young People and Private Practice divisions of the BACP too. ​

Client Testimonials What My Clients Are Saying "It has helped me to clarify my thoughts. As a result I feel better about myself - more empowered and in control of my feelings and actions. Thank-you to Joanna for all her help, advice and support. Her help and advice has had a major influence on my progress." “ Very positive, definitely helped me to let go of some things. Also it made me more aware of other issues and I have had the chance to talk through these issues in a safe environment. I feel like I have the tools now which I will be able to use and move forward." Having been a Police Officer for what was then a quarter of a century and having being exposed to horrendous incidents some of which you would not believe one human can inflict on another my mental health started to decline. It was a gradual process, I had become an expert and known as being the go to person , I could sort out everyone’s problems and I denied I was suffering and had my own problems. Over the years I became more and more withdrawn at home , snappy , unhelpful and my family suffered , It got to the point I even avoided going to the local shops or sometimes getting out of bed. I had dark thoughts about no longer being here and one day I tried getting out of bed after yet another sleepless night and thought enough was enough. There came a day when I started a long and slow process of change. I was signed off work with depression and anxiety and started counselling at work. This was going well but the counsellor I was seeing retired and I was left in the unfortunate position of not having a counsellor. It was then that not wanting to go into decline again I approached Joanna and carried on weekly counselling sessions with her that I found comforting , helpful and I’m in no doubt put me back on the road to recovery. I was still extremely anxious , depressed and ashamed at myself thinking I was no longer good enough to do the job I loved. With encouragement, turning my thought process around and giving me techniques to combat anxiety and depression I managed to change my role within the Police to one I am far happier doing. I have got my confidence back , Yes I do get days where I feel down , (You’re very lucky if you don’t ). But I now have skills learnt from Joanna’s counselling to keep striving forward. I would highly recommend Joanna’s counselling to anyone. If she could help me , with the way I was she can help anyone. I worked with Joanna for a short series of CBT sessions in 2021 and saw positive results. I leaarned different relaxation techniques which help me combat the stress of living with a chronic illness. “I feel I have come such a long way in such a short space of time and this has been as a result of Joanna and her hard work. She identified my focus areas and one by one I have dealt with them all and now feel ready for the next chapter of my life .” As a mother of a teenager with Asperger's we have faced many difficulties over the years and have mostly muddled through. But the latest incident had really affected him and he wasn't prepared to talk to me about it. Increasingly desperate, I contacted Joanna who has experience with teens, depression and ASC. After the initial meeting I was very doubtful that he would open up to her, but thankfully he did. He slowly seemed to gain confidence, personal and social understanding. Friends and family comment on how much calmer he is now and I know he is happier with himself. I'd like to thank Joanna for being there, for her patience, understanding and kindness that saw my son through a very frightening and dark time.

JB Counselling Learn More My Story I have been working as a fully qualified Counsellor since 2016, in the 3 years prior to that I was working as a trainee counsellor. I am a warm and caring counsellor and offer you a safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings, whether that is a current situation or unresolved issues from your past. I understand that it can be tricky to take that first step, but I would encourage you to contact me today so we can work together. Get In Touch Counselling services Support on your journey Finding your way Schedule a Session Skills sessions with time to breathe. Schedule a Session Schedule a Session Highbridge TA9, UK joanna.counselling@outlook.com 07484 206036 Thanks for submitting! Submit

Safe place guided visualisation Calming, relaxing. Grounding This is a video I have created for my clients. The Safe Place exercise is a good tool to use with anxiety and panic, and also a good way of trying out mindfulness. Published writing ​ ‘This review first appeared in the July 2021 issue of Thresholds, published by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Ruth Allen Mortimer Books ISBN: 978-1-78739-586-2 ​ Ruth Allen is a counsellor and eco-psychotherapist with a PhD in geology. She has brought her passion, joy and expertise together in a beautiful book with special relevance to our current situation. Grounded is a practical book that encourages us to connect with nature as an essential way to support our wellbeing. It’s more than a toolkit and it encourages us to slow down and still ourselves. This is coupled with images that may lead to contemplation. As many practitioners are exploring their own way back to face-to-face therapy, this book offers good ideas on practical ways of doing this. I envisage therapists could use it for their own self-care, as well as selecting exercises to explore with a client in an outdoors session. I’d recommend it to clients because it’s thoughtful and not full of jargon. It is classed as a ‘self-help’ book and meets the reader wherever they are on their journey with the natural world. It could be especially useful for people who find it hard to articulate feelings and emotions. It offers the view that nature can heal and help us, alongside, or as an alternative to, conventional therapy. As someone in the clinically extremely vulnerable shielding group, the outdoors has been one of the few places that have felt safe over the last year, and this book has been helpful as it has gently reminded me of the benefits of becoming mindful in nature and thereby more grounded. I echo Ruth’s view that a holistic approach to client work can often be more helpful than a strictly medical model. The book is accessible and easy to dip into, with short chapters that encourage reflection. The exercises encourage making a plan for solitude, taking a wild walk or getting our hands dirty. The author discusses elements of grounding taking the form of ritual and mystery, and encourages us to become more attuned to the spiritual aspect. I did sometimes find the layout made the flow of the book a bit disjointed, as some of the exercises cut across the text (although I did wonder if the interweaving was deliberate). The book discusses some theoretical approaches and has details of research in the bibliography, but there is little referencing in the actual text. I think that helped the book flow well, but others may want more detail. Joanna Burridge MBACP Counsellor and spiritual accompanier https://www.bacp.co.uk/bacp-journals/thresholds/ Other online work I've taken part in some online discussions and Facebook 'lives' around issues such as anxiety, especially in the context of the Covid Pandemic. You can see examples by following the links below ​ https://muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/parenting/back-to-school-anxiety/?fbclid=IwAR38D0lxGhcQ8W80FHUkwVeMb3eOinZfYdlpjZacGuZ8a2Lmo5Y0zBTjZCg ​ https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=840025970070081&ref=watch_permalink ​ ​ ​ ​ ​