Hello my name is Jo. I have worked in health and social care settings for 30 years and as a qualified Occupational Therapist for the last 15.

I am a registered Allied Health Professional (AHP), a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, EMDR UK, and am regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Throughout this time, I have been a dedicated person-centered therapist, promoting and facilitating independence with people of all ages. I have worked in various settings, including acute hospital wards, visits to people’s houses, job centres and therapy centres. I have continually looked to develop skills to assist with the prevention and improvement of health and well-being with the goal of maximising individuals’ quality of life.

As an Occupational Therapist when assessing how people manage their everyday activities and interactions within society and formulating, reviewing, and adjusting treatment plans, it became increasingly evident to me, that trauma, as well as adverse life experiences, has an impact on how people manage their day-to-day life. In response to this, I decided to specialise in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.

With the wealth of experience I have generated over my career with the NHS, I am ideally suited to deliver an effective creative, therapeutic program for a wide range of individuals. I use EMDR as it is a scientifically proven psychotherapy with a large evidence base. I will work with individuals to understand their symptoms that occur in daily life that may be arising from past overwhelming/adverse life experiences and recent or past trauma.

I have a passion to help people feel better, less stressed and less traumatised. I understand the impact that trauma and life experiences can have on day-to-day living. I am an experienced health care professional. My area of interest is working with individuals that face challenges with their physical and mental health that they find difficult to manage.  This includes living with depression, anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, PTSD symptoms, disturbing memories, chronic stress, chronic pain, grief, and all forms of abuse. Also recently living with Covid. I have a warm and generous character and will provide a safe and open environment in which to allow an individual to work through the therapeutic process.

As someone who has undergone EMDR therapy myself, I have a deep understanding of the need for, and the positive results that can be achieved using this therapy. I am personally aware of the difficulty of reaching out for help and how hard it can be. However, I now appreciate how life-changing it was for me and how debilitated I had been previously.

I am a firm believer in the results achieved with EMDR therapy and am dedicated to providing this service for others seeking to reduce distress in their lives.

Professional membership

EMDR Association UK
Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC)
Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) including continuous professional development (CPD)

Qualifications

EMDR Practitioner
BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy

Availability

Durham Therapy Centre – Thursdays 1:30pm until 5:30pm
Please get in touch to make an appointment or for more information. If the above time is not suitable, we can discuss alternative arrangements.

Mobile: 07450 598046
Email: Click here