Counselling with Jo

Bluebell woods, now is the time.
That colour. That aroma.
Stand, stare, be still, enjoy.
I sat here today, for quite a while.

Absolute bliss 💙

Hazel flowers! Blink and you miss them. My favourite jewel to find at this time of year. The first TINY burst of colour.

Look out for hazel catkins and then look closely at the buds, if you're lucky you'll spot one of these 💚

The catkins are the male part of the tree and you'll find the very small female flowers on the same tree. They then need pollinating from another tree. Nature magic.

A slow solo mindful nature walk is a great way to practice being present. No rush to get to the destination just a gentle meander. Time to yourself to see what's there.. outside, and inside 😊

of spring

New Year, new path? This time of year is often a natural reset for our intentions, goals, hopes and aspirations for the year ahead.. if you have been considering talking therapy then right now I have some limited availability either for outdoor walking sessions in the Ashdown Forest, indoors at the Health Hut or, online via video call or phonecall.

Whether you're in or from further afield in the UK do get in touch if you want to find out more about how I can support you.

Talking therapy is about voicing your thoughts and feelings in a non judgemental relationship. We will explore what matters to you, together, and go at your pace.

You may have behaviours or ways of being in the world or in relationship with others, that you want to change. We can look at your patterns, your history (if you choose to), and reflect on what you need - be it physically, emotionally, intellectually, spirituality, financially, socially.. in order to create the change you desire.

Therapy isn't always about change but it's always about increasing self-awareness, self-compassion and understanding.

I offer a free 20 minute phone call before an initial, no obligation session to see if we're a good fit.

I am down to earth, friendly and will talk to you as an equal.

I am BACP accredited and have been practicing for 7 years.

I look forward to meeting you 😊

(More info at www.counsellingwithjo.com)

Autumn is giving way to winter right now and the Ashdown Forest is looking beautiful as ever! I took these snaps on a walk last week and the light was mesmerising.

Walking here every week with clients or on my own, I get to see the seasons change and embrace each one for the new sights and sounds it brings. I feel at home here and always come away feeling rejuvenated.

Today I saw and heard redwings, winter thrushes that migrate here from colder climates for our berries and milder winters. Like the first swallow of summer, the first redwing of winter is a joy ✨

I've got some weekday availability for outdoor counselling at the moment. We can walk and talk, sit and listen, breathe and release ~ whatever you might need to help let go of stress and anxiety, gain clarity in your thoughts and feelings and support, to work through whatever is troubling you.

Get in touch if you'd like to find out more 🙂

Walk and talk anyone? If only I could do outdoor therapy here, in the French Alps!

Feeling humbled by the mountains, grounded, calm and peaceful, at a time when the world is anything but...

Grateful to be able to get away and reminded of the huge value that comes from a total change of environment.

It doesn't have to be a holiday. It could be a day or an afternoon, getting away to a place you have never been before and spending time on your own.

Completed two solo hikes up to the snow line and am coming home with FRESH perspective and renewed energy 🙏🤍🏔️

Which zone are you in?

🟢 The comfort zone is needed, it's a place we can retreat to, a familiar place that feels safe. And yet if we spend too much time there we can start to feel stagnant and frustrated, it keeps life small and predictable, and restricted.

🟡 Pushing into the growth zone can raise anxiety, create discomfort and if we're not careful we quickly retreat back to comfort. However! If we accept these feelings as part of the process, then we can learn to tolerate them. The only way out is through! This zone can also come to mean excitement, learning, new discoveries about ourselves and what we're truly capable of.

🔴 If we push too hard we can end up in the stress zone, a place of overwhelm, panic, potential burnout, frustration and despair. A small amount of stress can create momentum but too much and it can do us real harm.

This concept can be applied to any area of your life and help you to work out where you are and where you need or want to be. I use it a lot with clients to help people find courage to enter the growth zone and accept the feelings this brings up.

**Apologies I don't have a credit for the image but if anyone does, do let me know! I picked it up along the way and I'm not sure who it came from.

New Availability on Wednesdays at the Health Hut at Wilderness Wood, Hadlow Down, East Sussex.

If you're considering counselling/therapy and would like to find out more please DM me for more information 🙂

I work with individuals aged 16 and over and can provide support for a range of issues - depression, anxiety, relationship issues, low self esteem and confidence, regulating and managing difficult emotions, anger, loss and much more.

I am BACP accredited and have been in private practice since 2018 seeing a wide range of clients.

I'm so excited to be working from this beautiful location!!

Always on the go? Busy busy busy? No time to stop and think, let alone feel? Being busy is often a badge of honour in today's society, and it's also a brilliant avoidance tactic ;-)
Counselling is about making space and time for you to be with whatever is going on behind the scenes of your daily grind. Making time for yourself proactively can help to avoid burnout, the onset of physical symptoms or the build up of resentments and frustrations that can lead to conflict.
Facing the things we avoid can be scary at first, hence we look the other way or put things off. However, on the other side of it we can move towards improved wellbeing, and a sense of empowerment.
Often, the only way out is through and counselling provides a way forward that's on your terms, at your pace and with your best interests at heart. Message me for more info or to set up a taster session 👍

Is your personality set in stone? We often hear people say things like "that's just how I am", "I'm x kind of person", even "you knew who I was when you married me!". These sort of statements imply that we have no control over the way we are - how we think, feel and behave. Counselling works from a belief that change is absolutely possibly and it all starts with self-awareness. The 'way we are' is often based on how we have learnt to be, or needed to be, earlier in life, in order to get by. As adults we can notice our patterns, learn where they come from and make choices about how we think, feel and behave in the present. We can't change other people but we can take responsibility for ourselves and invest time in really getting to know who we are and why.
If your current way of being in the world isn't working for you then counselling can be a great place to explore what really makes you tick and how you can improve your relationships and your own wellbeing. If you'd like to find out more. I'm currently accepting new clients and offering concessions during this difficult time! Look forward to meeting you :-)

How are you coping with the change of gear the last few weeks? Colder, darker nights, back to school stress, anxieties about the cost of living, winter bugs, transitions.. it all kicks in at this time of year for many of us and this and can lead to overwhelm or low mood. If you're in need of a place to offload without judgement, explore your thoughts, feelings or behaviours or simply be heard and understood then I am offering reduced rate initial sessions for anyone considering counselling. I have a beautiful wood cabin at Wilderness Wood and I also offer outdoor walking sessions or video calls. Current availability for in person sessions on Thursdays 👍 drop me a line if you want to find out more.

Not sure about counselling? I offer a no obligation introduction session in person or via zoom. Get in touch to book and find out more. You can also read the FAQs on my website :-)
https://counsellingwithjo.wordpress.com/faqs/

FAQs Frequently asked questions about starting counselling such as what will happen in the first session.

The Health Hut is open! I have availability for new clients here on Thursday mornings. Please get in touch to book an initial session. This is a real sanctuary under the trees and a safe confidential space to talk about anything that you're struggling with 🌱

Welcome to my new page! I thought I'd set this up as an additional place to find me and get in touch. The photos below are of my new counselling room - the Health Hut at Wilderness Wood just outside Heathfield and Uckfield. I'll be working here on Thursdays from September onwards and have availability for new clients. So, if you're considering counselling why not get in touch or visit my website to find out more. I look forward to meeting you :-)

BACP Registration Number

Counselling with Jo updated their information in their About section.

Counselling with Jo updated their phone number.

Counselling with Jo updated their business hours.