Joan Edwards

I work Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays - preferably in the daytime,  but can work evenings as arranged.

Please email or leave a message on my answerphone, or text your contact details.  I will get back to you as soon as possible.  If you don't leave a message I will not contact you.

I provide telephone or video counselling sessions as well as face-to-face, and am happy to 'mix and match' as appropriate. 

If you are on a low income, please feel free to discuss a reduced price scale for your therapy sessions.

I am BACP Accredited, and have an MA in Integrative Counselling. I also supervise other counsellors' theraeutic practice.

Primarily 'client centred', I believe a trusting therapeutic relationship is the key to psychological healing.  I listen and encourage people to talk about themselves and their issues.  Offering total respect and a non-judgemental environment, I hope my clients feel able to take a deeper look at their stresses, worries and their feelings.  Sometimes hearing themselves 'just talking out loud' to another person who is totally accepting can instigate an internal shift which may help them to take a step towards 'coming to terms' with distressing life-events - such as bereavement, relationship breakdowns, or other painful losses.  Some may also want to identify ways forward and perhaps instigate external change. 

Should you decide to come to me for counselling, my hope would  also be to help you to explore and recognise your own self-worth and to value your unique identity, as it is my experience that people are often more judgmental of themselves than they are to others.  I am non-judgmental, affirmative, warm and supportive, and my aim is to empower you to take charge of your own life and hopefully live more joyfully. 

I am also interested in 'energy work' - and alternative therapies such as Reiki and Shamanism.  I take an holistic view of life, and while I am not conventionally 'religious', I enjoy working with individuals who want to explore their own deeper existential and spiritual issues.

I live in a bungalow on the outskirts of Leyburn, and have a dedicated therapy room.  Sessions are usually initially conducted on a weekly basis, preferably 'face to face'.  but I am flexible, and am happy doing telephone or online if required, and open to mixing online and telephone sessions inbetween 'face to face' sessions.  As therapy progresses, fortnightly or longer periods between sessions may become more appropriate.

Before an initial session is arranged, we can have a short telephone chat free of charge, which will enable you to outline your issues and decide whether you feel comfortable talking to me.  This initial call is an oportunity for you to decide whether you want to come for counselling.  You may want to go away and think about it without feeling under any pressure to attend.  If agreed, I can email my counselling contract to you, which will enable you to make an informed choice about whether you would like to meet me.

During our first session we will work through the 'initial contract' which outlines the counselling boundaries, and I will also explore with you what you would like to get from our sessions together.

You may like to tell me about your personal  circumstances, outline your reasons for wanting to come for counselling, and whether you have support from friends and/or family etc. 

Counselling is a collaborative process, and it involves a lot of trust to talk to someone about personal feelings and issues.  I offer a safe space for you to explore your issues, and my hope is that you will feel able to talk to me.  If  however, you decide it's not right for you, there is no awkwardness or pressure to return,  and I may be able to signpost you towards a different counsellor, or an alternative form of help or support if appropriate.

I work Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and do not work weekends.  Evening work may occasionally be carried out by prior negotiation and agreement.

I work 'face to face' but am also happy to work online or on the telephone as required.

I can be available outside of sessions for therapeutic emergencies, (for example, traumatic or safeguarding issues etc.) though cannot guarantee an immediate response, but always endeavour to get back to counsellors asap.

I am a qualified Supervisor and BACP accredited counsellor with many years counselling and supervision experience in many contexts - including Private Practice, NHS, Rape Crisis, Workplace, Student counselling, Bereavement and Hospice, Schools and War Veteran PTSD. Additionally I have supervised Army Welfare Officers, Racing Welfare personnel and Police Welfare Officers.

I work from home and am based in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales.  Many of my clients and supervisees say the journey into Wensleydale can be an 'uplifting and grounding experience', in acknowledgement that it is a remote area, 

I am able to work online, and am also happy to undertake telephone supervision.  Ideally I like to meet counsellors face to face - especially initially - in order to establish a good working relationship.  However, I also have successful professional relationships with counsellors I have never met 'in person' and am happy to accommodate individual needs and preferences in this area.

Safeguarding is always an area which can cause anxiety and stress to any counsellor, and I will endeavour to help counsellors to work through their interventions and look at ways forward: risk assessments, safety plans, referrals etc.

I offer an initial free short telephone session to explore the needs, working context and experience of the counsellor.

The first session is an oportunity to meet each other, to look at supervisees' individual needs,  and to mutually decide whether I am the right person to undertake the supervision work. 

Contracting is done in the first session - agreeing the frequency, mode, and how much supervision is required etc.