“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
Maya Angelou
ABOUT JO
I came to psychotherapy after having a previous career working in social care sectors. I qualified in 2017 and have worked for counselling agencies and now I work in private practice. A passion for helping others and a desire to effect positive change led me to train as a counselling psychotherapist so I could make a difference in other people’s lives.
It is my belief that human distress, in all its many forms, can be relieved through talking therapies. Having a trusted person who is invested in you but independent from other areas of your life provides a platform from which you can honestly explore your relationship with yourself, with others and with the world around you.
My Approach
I trained in North Devon over a period of several years and during this process I learned a lot about myself and about human relationships. My model of integration is based on a relational and developmental approach. This means that I have studied theories about human development and how the building blocks of ‘who I am’ are put together. The relational aspect has taught me about how relationships mould us, the importance of them to survive and thrive and how we can use the relationship in counselling and psychotherapy to heal.
How does it work?
When people ask me “how does counselling and psychotherapy work?” I wish I had a short answer. My answer is more along the lines of “how long have you got?” There isn’t a simple and concise explanation because there is nothing simple and concise about the human experience.
The process of counselling and psychotherapy can range from looking at a specific problem or trauma to more global examination about the world and our place in it. Sometimes we look back into the past, sometimes we look into the future and sometimes it is all about the present. The integrative approach doesn’t just refer to the integration of theories, as importantly it refers to the integration of a person. I work with all aspects of a person in a holistic way and I view a person as a whole, not just a collection of parts.
Who do I work with?
In terms of the issues I work with the range is infinite. I do not turn people away because of the issue they are having. I work with the person not just the problem and this could involve short term or long term work. If my approach does not ‘fit’ with a client I endeavour to signpost them to other support that might be more appropriate for their needs. My advice would be to come and meet me for an initial session to see if I fit your needs.
SUPERVISION
‘Supervision is nourishment. A place to celebrate, contemplate and get mutuality and validation in an often lonely profession.’
I offer supervision both face to face and online. This includes students who are taking their first steps into counselling practice and experienced professionals. I work relationally as a supervisor where I put supervisee needs and therefore client needs at the forefront of the work. I am trained in several models of supervision and pay particular attention to the therapist’s use of self and unconscious processes. I really enjoy the mentoring aspect of supervision and aim to create collaborative relationships where the therapist feels supported and able to explore all aspects of their client work.
I am an integrative counsellor and use a relational, developmental model of integration which means I look at a clients development in the past as much as I look at a clients here and now and I use the therapeutic relationship on many levels to do ‘the work’ with clients. I bring this kind of integration in my supervision work so with supervisees I deal with clinical case presentation of clients and offer ideas on the direction of work but I’m also really interested in a supervisee’s process ie what goes on for them in the work, what internal things does the client touch on in the therapist and what is the client therapist relationship like. Sometimes my style can feel slightly like therapy as I’m simultaneously curious about the client’s ‘stuff’ AND the therapist’s ‘stuff’ (history, feelings, imaginings, personal experiences and relationships).
Membership and training
I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS), and the International Integrative Psychotherapy Association (IIPA). I have trained at level 4 diploma, level 5 advanced diploma level and level 6 diploma in supervision. I have undergone a variety of professional development training in different formats and trained with diverse communities including internationally. As well as formal training I have done my own personal counselling psychotherapy and I bring this experience to my work with clients. I don’t believe you can be an effective counselling psychotherapist without understanding yourself. Clients report that knowing I have experience of sitting in the client’s chair is as important to them as my formal qualifications.
Where I work
I currently work from my home office in Bideford. The atmosphere is cosy and relaxed and Albie the therapy dog is available for canine cuddles. I also offer a ‘walk and talk’ if clients prefer this format. Getting into nature can be really therapeutic and there is the beautiful coastline a few miles away.
Please feel free to contact me via telephone or e mail, I am happy to answer questions and talk you through the process.
Jo Batch
Jo Batch Counselling 