Jo Read, BACP

Jo Read qualified in 2016 with a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, accredited by the Counselling and Psychotherapy Awarding Body (CPCAB), having completed training through Sweet Track Counselling in Glastonbury and placement hours with the Sweet Track Agency. She is also a qualified social worker as well as a counsellor and holds an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate for work with young people under 16.

Jo brings over 20 years of experience working with young people and adults across youth and community work, education, mental health and social care. She maintains monthly supervision and engages in personal counselling to support her professional development, carries relevant insurance, and is a registered member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) - the UK professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists.

Her practice is rooted in the Person Centred counselling approach, using unconditional positive regard, empathy and congruence to create clear communication and to negotiate and sustain therapeutic boundaries. She uses open questions and listening skills such as reflection, summarising and immediacy to help clients explore their feelings, thoughts and experiences and to identify their own priorities for change.

The first session is an opportunity to decide whether to work together and, if appropriate, to complete a counselling contract and an initial assessment to clarify aims. Jo welcomes questions at any time and reviews the agreement as therapy progresses. Her aims are to provide valuable counselling to young people and adults in distress and to support clients in working holistically through talking therapy and other agreed tools.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Jo uses Client-Centered Therapy to create a nonjudgmental space where the client leads the pace and focus of sessions; this approach supports people working through issues like low self-esteem, depression and relationship difficulties by emphasising empathy and acceptance. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) is used to help clients identify and reorganise emotional responses within relationships; it can be particularly helpful for resolving attachment-related issues, improving intimacy and addressing relationship distress. Mindfulness Therapy offers practical strategies to increase present-moment awareness and reduce reactivity, which can aid clients coping with anxiety, stress and mood fluctuations.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and Jo works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals and preferences. Sessions are shaped over time based on the client’s feedback and progress, ensuring a personalised path forward.

Online therapy with Jo is available by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different schedules and needs. These options make it easier to access licensed professionals from varied locations and can help clients maintain continuity of care while balancing work, family and other commitments.