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), and completed her placement with the Sweet Track Agency in Glastonbury. She is both a qualified social worker and a counsellor, and holds an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate for work with young people under 16. Across more than 20 years she has worked with young people and adults in youth and community work, education, mental health and social care, bringing a broad base of practical experience to her practice.

She maintains monthly clinical supervision and undertakes her own personal counselling to support ongoing professional development, and holds relevant insurance. Jo is a registered member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP), the national professional body for counselling and psychotherapy in the UK.

Jo primarily practices within a person-centred framework, drawing on the core conditions of unconditional positive regard, empathy and congruence to help people explore their thoughts and feelings. Her work uses open questions and active listening skills such as reflection, summarising and immediacy to support people in identifying their own concerns and finding personal answers. Working within the BACP ethical framework, Jo places importance on clear boundaries, agreed working arrangements and regular review of the therapeutic contract.

In an initial session she and the client decide whether to work together, complete an initial assessment and agree a counselling contract. Jo aims to offer counselling that is valuable to young people and adults in distress and to work holistically using talking therapy and other agreed tools to support each person’s goals.

Approaches Jo Read Uses and How Online Therapy Works

Jo uses a client-centred approach that focuses on providing an accepting, empathic space where a person’s own insights guide change. This approach helps people who need time and support to explore self-esteem, grief, relationship difficulties and broader life transitions. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) is used to identify and work with emotional patterns in relationships and personal distress, helping people understand how emotions shape interactions and responses. Mindfulness Therapy offers practical techniques to increase present-moment awareness and reduce overwhelm, which can be useful for anxiety, stress and mood regulation.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Jo works collaboratively with each person to identify goals, preferences and practical needs, and will adapt methods so the work fits the individual rather than forcing a single model on everyone. This collaborative way of choosing a path helps ensure therapy feels relevant and manageable.

Online therapy with Jo is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging to provide flexible access to registered professionals. These options make it easier to fit sessions around work, caregiving or mobility needs, and allow people to continue therapy from different locations when life circumstances change.