Joanna Best

I have worked as a psychotherapist for over 30 years in education, the voluntary sector and private practice. I'm particularly interested in mind/body connections, problems in attachments and organisational dynamics.

NB During the current Coronavirus pandemic, I am continuing to offer a service but I have moved my practice to telephone and video sessions.

For the first session, I allow an hour and a half, to allow time to get to know something about my clients, and to alow clients to see whether they feel comfortable working with me.

My background has been working as a counsellor and therapist for over 30 years with students and staff in Further and Higher Education, the voluntary sector, particularly with women who have experienced trauma and the effects of poverty, clients who have lost children, clients with serious physical health problems and in private practice. I am experienced in both brief counselling and long term psychotherapy. I work with a number of Employee Assistance Programmes. 

I am particularly interested in the mind/body connection and how it manifests in the counselling/psychotherapy, attachment issues and organisational dynamics.

My approach to supervision is that I endeavour, together with the supervisee, to create a safe and supportive space but also one where we can think about those moments in the therapeutic encounter which can be missed. I see supervision as a place to reflect on the unconscious processes which can emerge between client and therapist. The relationship between supervisor and counsellor/therapist can also sometimes be understood as a parallel process for the therapeutic realtionship. Nurturing a safe yet challenging space would be my aim.

During the current situation with Coronavirus, I am continuing to offer a service, but I have moved my practice to telephone or video sessions