Hi. I'm Jo Smith, an Integrative counsellor offering face to face counselling in WF3 and LS1. I also offer online counselling UK wide.
Hopefully you will find everything you need to know about me and the services I offer here on my website but if there is anything you would like to ask, please get in touch.
"Sadly, too often the stigma around mental health prevents people who need help from seeking it. But that simply doesn't make any sense. Whether an illness affects your heart, your arm or your brain, it's still an illness and there shouldn't be any distinction .. we should make it clear that getting help isn't a sign of weakness - it's a sign of strength - and we should ensure that people can get the treatment they need"
Michelle Obama
Why see a counsellor?
Let's face it, life is often tough. Sometimes we struggle to make sense of what has happened to us in the past or feel worried about our future. Sometimes it's the every day struggles which feel too overwhelming and we find ourselves feeling stuck.
Mental health affects so many of us at different points in our life. When we find it hard to cope or manage our mental health, our relationships, work and physical health can suffer. If this is you, counselling can help.
As a BACP registered and qualified counsellor I am trained to really listen to you, free from judgement and see things the way you see things. Together we can face the hurdles you are facing, bit by bit, one at a time and at a pace you feel comfortable with.
Everyone's situation is different and I am a great believer in there is a no one size fits all approach to therapy. It is important that you receive help that is unique to your individual needs and as an integrative counsellor, I am able to draw on a number of approaches and techniques to suit you.
Whether you are looking for short or long term therapy, hoping to build your confidence and self esteem, manage or deal with negative emotions, break free from trauma, improve relationships or reach those personal goals you have set for yourself, please get in touch to see how I can help.
What I can help with
Anxiety & Depression
Anxiety and Depression can have a significant impact on our work and relationships, especially when people around you don't seem to understand. I promise to listen to you, without judgement, help you understand your anxiety or depression better and develop ways of coping with these.
Relationship Difficulties
Our relationships with others are an important source of happiness and support. When these break down you may feel angry, lost and alone. I can help by exploring ways in which you can strengthen these relationships, communicate better or move forward where there is no option to reconcile.
Childhood Issues
Often unhappy or even traumatic events in childhood can catch up with us in later years. We can work through these together, at a pace that feels comfortable for you and develop ways of coping with the impact these may have had on your life, your relationships & on your mental health.
Medical Conditions & Terminal Illness
Living with a medical condition or finding out you are terminally ill can have a devastating impact on many areas of your life; physically, socially and emotionally. Talking through these can help manage the many losses you have encountered and help you gain back some control of the life you have.
Stress & Burnout
We live in a world where we are often spinning many plates and trying our best not to drop any. This is exhausting - pressures from work, family, friends, societal and financial commitments all have the potential to lead to burn out. Therapy can help prioritise your stress and help develop techniques to manage the workload.
Grief & Loss
Losing a loved one, a friend or a pet can be hard and you may be left with a range of emotions from deep sadness to anger. Whilst nothing can replace your loss, counselling can support you in your grief, help you share your experiences and assist you in moving forward in whatever way feels right for you.
Whilst these are some of the issues I work with, it is impossible to cover all the problems we may face at various points in life.
We are all unique and we manage life events differently so it's possible you are experiencing just one of these, a few of these or none at all ........ and that's OK!
People often worry about what they will say and how they will say it when they see a counsellor, especially if your problems don't necessarily fit one of these boxes - after all, putting your thoughts out to a complete stranger is not easy.
Please feel reassured that this is normal and I will do all I can to make sure you feel as relaxed as you possibly can be and will never pressure you into talking about anything you're not ready to - some things take a little time and a lot more trust!
I provide a personal service to my clients, which means whatever the problems you are experiencing and however you feel about them, I am here to help!
Whilst some people require a short course of therapy to develop ways of coping, others may require more long term management and we will discuss what is best for you during our 20 minute free consultation, so that you know exactly what to expect before beginning anything.
Please do check out the FAQ section of this website, where I hope to have answered many of the questions people have before coming to therapy.
Have a question I haven't answered? Please do get in touch!
Thank you for visiting my website
Jo
Contact Me
Leeds Centre. East Ardsley. Online. josmithcounselling@yahoo.com | Tel: 07482561158