Joanne Phillips

I currently have some availability for counselling sessions. My working days are Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 9:30am and 3pm. Daytime slots on these days are charged at a rate of £55 per 50-minute session. 

I also offer some evening slots (5:30pm onwards) though these do tend to get booked quickly. The rate for evening slots is £65 per 50-minute session. 

Rates apply to all sessions - face to face, telephone or zoom. 

I also offer a student rate of £40 per 50-minute session. This applies to daytime sessions only. To be eligible for the student rate, students must be on a full time undergraduate university course or be undertaking therapy as part of a counselling training course. 

My counselling approach is mainly person-centred counselling. In summary, this is a non-directive approach which aims to put you in control of your therapy and healing. When working with you using this approach I will support you, rather than direct you, as you work through any issues, and find ways to cope with or overcome them. Supporting you rather than directing helps give you autonomy and empower you and this can be helpful in the future once you choose to finish therapy.

While person-centred counselling does not involve advice giving, it is definitely not a passive form of counselling. I will be fully involved in the process with you, helping you clarify and make sense of things that are troubling you. I can give you a safe and confidential space where you will be listened to respectfully and empathised with. Your thoughts and feelings will always be heard and never be judged. 

While the foundation of my work is person-centred, I do tailor my approach to suit individual needs by incorporating elements of other approaches such as CBT into my work where appropriate. These would include, for example, work on challenging negative or irrational thoughts and overthinking and also coping / relaxation strategies. 

My name is Jo Phillips and I’m a qualified counsellor with a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and QLS Level 4 in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. I offer individual counselling sessions in person, by telephone or online via Zoom and am able to offer a range of different times and days to suit your needs. For face to face sessions I am based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. I can offer telephone or online counselling throughout the UK.

I offer ongoing counselling or short term counselling with a fixed number of sessions. I am able to offer a discounted rate for students. 

I have experience of working with a range of different issues, including anxiety, depression, bereavement, relationship issues, trauma, bullying, work-related stress, pregnancy issues, miscarriage and low self-esteem. 

If you regularly feel anxious or on edge or find yourself overthinking and worrying excessively about things then I have experience in supporting people through this. 

Are you experiencing difficulties with low mood or lack of motivation which is having a negative impact on your wellbeing and happiness? 

Or are you feeling stuck and unsure about how to move forward in your life, either because of something that has happened or even without any clear reason?

If any of this sounds familiar then I am here to listen. I can support you in making sense of what is going on for you and in finding your own way forward. 

I realise that deciding to have counselling and choosing a therapist may be daunting and can feel like a big step. For this reason, I am happy to offer a free 15 minute informal telephone call (or messages/emails if you are more comfortable with this) to answer any questions and help you decide if I am the right counsellor for you. 

Following this I would leave the decision with you about whether you want to go ahead with counselling. If you decide to, we would then book in your first session. 

In the first session we would go over our agreement about how we will work together, talk about what you would like from counselling and begin to look at what you want to work on, always going at your pace and at a level you feel comfortable with. 

Whether you choose ongoing or short term counselling, you are not committed to a specific number of sessions and are free to leave counselling whenever you choose.