Joan Edwards

I work Monday to Friday - preferably in the daytime,  but can work evenings as arranged.

Please email or leave a message on my answerphone, or text your contact details.  I will get back to you as soon as possible.  If you don't leave a message I will not contact you.

I provide telephone or video counselling sessions as well as face-to-face, and am happy to 'mix and match' as appropriate. 

If you are on a low income, please feel free to discuss a reduced price scale for your therapy sessions.

Primarily 'client centred', I believe a trusting therapeutic relationship is the key to psychological healing.  I listen and encourage people to talk about themselves and their issues.  Offering total respect and a non-judgemental environment, I hope my clients feel able to take a deeper look at their stresses, worries and their feelings.  Sometimes hearing themselves 'just talking out loud' to another person who is totally accepting can instigate an internal shift which may help them to take a step towards 'coming to terms' with distressing life-events - such as bereavement, relationship breakdowns, or other painful losses.  Some may also want to identify ways forward and perhaps instigate external change. 

Should you decide to come to me for counselling, my hope would  also be to help you to explore and recognise your own self-worth and to value your unique identity, as it is my experience that people are often more judgmental of themselves than they are to others.  I am non-judgmental, affirmative, warm and supportive, and my aim is to empower you to take charge of your own life and hopefully live more joyfully. 

I am also interested in 'energy work' - and alternative therapies such as Reiki and Shamanism.  I take an holistic view of life, and while I am not conventionally 'religious', I enjoy working with individuals who want to explore their own deeper existential and spiritual issues.

I live in rural Wensleydale, North Yorkshire - which often means people have to travel some distance to see me.  Feedback suggests that clients generally find the countryside, and the journey itself 'therapeutic'.  Sessions are usually initially conducted on a weekly basis, preferably 'face to face', but I am flexible, and am happy doing telephone or online 'Zoom', 'Skype' or 'Teams' if required, and open to mixing online and telephone sessions inbetween 'face to face' sessions.  As therapy progresses, fortnightly or longer periods between sessions may become more appropriate.

I have a dedicated therapy room upstairs in my house.  Unfortunately because my house is on different levels, 'face-to-face' is unsuitable for anyone who cannot manage stairs.

Before an initial session is arranged, I like to have a short telephone or online chat (free of charge), which will enable you to outline your issues and decide whether you feel comfortable talking to me.  This initial meeting is an oportunity for you to decide whether we can work together, and whether counselling itself is the best way forward for you.  You may want to go away and think about it without feeling under any pressure.  If agreed, I can email my counselling contract to you to look at which enables you to make an informed choice, and think about whether you have any further questions about the counselling process.

During our first session we work through the 'initial contract' which outlines the counselling boundaries, and the terms on which I work with all clients.  I will also explore with you what you would like to get from our sessions together.

Usually, I will check out your personal  circumstances, and how vulnerable you are, and whether you have support from friends and/or family etc. 

Counselling is a collaborative process, and it involves a lot of trust to talk to someone about personal feelings and issues. I always feel truly 'honoured' when I am trusted, but If you decide it's not right for you, there is no awkwardness or shame in being honest, and I may be able to signpost you towards a different counsellor, or an alternative form of help or support if appropriate.

I do not work weekends.  Evening work may occasionally be carried out by prior negotiation and agreement.

I prefer to work 'face to face' but am also happy to work online or on the telephone as required.

I am a qualified Supervisor and BACP accredited counsellor with many years counselling and supervision experience in many contexts - including Private Practice, NHS, Rape Crisis, Workplace, Student counselling, Bereavement and Hospice, Schools and War Veteran PTSD. Additionally I have supervised Army Welfare Officers, Racing Welfare personnel and Police Welfare Officers.

I work with Counselling students studying for their level 3, 4 and 5 Diploma or Degree. I understand the unique pressure of trying to build up counselling hours, and the extra help and support required when starting 'live' practice.  I am experienced at writing assessments and reports for Colleges and giving constructive feedback to students.

I work from home and am based in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales.  Many of my clients and supervisees say the journey into Wensleydale can be an 'uplifting and grounding experience', in acknowledgement that it is a remote area, I am able to work online via Zoom or Skype, and am also happy to undertake telephone supervision.  Ideally I like to meet counsellors face to face initially in order to establish a good working relationship.

The first session is an oportunity to meet each other, to look at supervisees' individual needs and circumstances, and to mutually decide whether I am the right person to undertake the supervision work. 

Contracting is done in the first session - agreeing the frequency, mode, and how much supervision is required etc.