About Me

Hi, I'm Jo! I have been working as a Cognitive Behaviour Therapist (CBT) for 22 years and I have had extensive experience in a wide range of psychological and emotional disorders. I am an accredited member of the British association of behavioural and cognitive psychotherapies (BABCP).

I started in private practice in 2005 having worked for The Liverpool and Sefton Eating Disorder Service for the previous 6 years. Prior to that I spent several years working within Psychology and Psychotherapy departments. I graduated from Queens University Belfast with my first degree in Psychology and I gained my Postgraduate degree at Liverpool University with a MSc in Applied Psychology in 1998. I completed my CBT training at Chester. I have carried out research around OCD and I have worked as a psychology lecturer lecturing in areas of Clinical Psychology.

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Over the years I have gained interest in other areas which complement and enhance the application of CBT. I am particularly interested in and regularly use Compassionate Focused Therapy (CFT) and I am a Mindful Self Compassion MSC practitioner having completed the formal training in this area.

These are some excellent ways of helping us to understand the way our mind works, understand how to manage the stress chemical cortisol and how to activate healthier, naturally occurring chemicals in our brains. Ultimately, we need to understand what stress does to our minds and bodies and find ways of managing it using CFT and MSC. These techniques are also fundamental in learning strategies for self-soothing and dealing with shame and self-criticism.

 

I have a strong interest in Mindfulness and Mindful meditation which I will use this as part of therapy when appropriate. I am a Mindfulness In Schools accredited practitioner, having completed an intensive 4 day course, and am an accredited life coach, something I completed for my own journey and not as a professional qualification.

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When I am not working, there are lots of things I love to do. I have been practising yoga for 20+ years and one day will complete teacher training. I used to run regularly, having completed numerous 10ks, some half marathons and the Liverpool marathon. The challenge of climbing Kilimanjaro about 15 years ago was a life changing experience! I love reading books and will also have an audible book on the go but won't abandon the joys of paperback reading! I love a bit of music as well. I’m a keen cook and do love eating good food. I have a 4 year old Cavapoo and a 1 year old long haired chihuahua so walking is a daily requirement for us all. I have 2 sons, now 19 and 23, and hopefully I have instilled good values in them. I live with my partner Jay “who can do everything”. I also enjoy spending time with my lovely friends.