Jo Taylor

I am a psychodynamic counsellor and CBT therapist, working with an integrative, person centred approach.

I work to create a safe, non judgemental space for people to share and develop a relationship to explore feelings and patterns that might be keeping a person 'stuck'; this can involve looking at the past and present, reflecting on what we can notice together. 

Combining this with CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), can allow a person to explore and sit with feelings, while working with strategies to notice and challenge behaviour.  Within the 'work', it is important to acknowledge relationships (both current and historic) and how they affect a person emotionally and behaviourally.

I frequently work with a person to creatively find the words to express what they are feeling, listening, reflecting and consolidating.

Examples of presenting issues might be (but not limited to) anxiety, depression, anger, isolation.

Historically I have worked with substance misuse, young people and parents.
I am also a qualified reflexologist, which can often prove to be a good 'noticing and reflection' tool when thinking about the self holistically.

Initially, a person can have a brief telephone assessment with a view to setting up a first in-person consultation.

In the first meeting, I will set the boundaries of our sessions (sometimes referred to as 'contracting'), which explains the practical and professional boundaries of the therapeutic space, confidentiality and gives an opportunity to ask questions; we would then explore the presenting issue.  There will also be a form to fill in ahead of the session with contact details, GP information and limited assessment information

In the following sessions we will continue the work and I will continue to review the expectations and progress.  

If working with a CBT model, there may be some practical work - eg. a client might journal or have a template for scaling feelings.  These would be discussed during the sessions, but will likely involve some engagement outside of the room.

A client should feel free to ask questions around the process and space at any point.