Joanna Bell

I offer day and evening sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, both in person and online, and I currently have some availability for new clients. I can provide short-term therapy, which is usually 6 weeks, or longer-term open ended therapy.

Please feel free to contact me on 07356 274851 if you have any questions about counselling in general, would like to talk about availability or to book an initial 15-minute online meeting to explore what you want from counselling.

Alternatively, you can email me with any questions at: joannabellkingston@gmail.com

You might be feeling anxious, overwhelmed or stuck, perhaps caught in patterns of people-pleasing, self-doubt or with a harsh inner critic. Maybe you are navigating life transitions such as changes in work, relationships, family, health or bereavement and feeling unsure about where to turn or how to move forward.

I offer face-to-face and online counselling in a caring, confidential space where you can talk openly and feel understood. My approach is gentle, respectful and collaborative, guided by what feels most helpful for you. Together, we explore what’s behind your challenges, notice unhelpful patterns and support you to move towards greater calm, self-trust and compassion for yourself. Short-term and longer-term therapy are available, depending on what feels most helpful to you.

My training and experience

I am a qualified counsellor with a CPCAB Level 4 diploma in Integrative Therapeutic Counselling. My training draws on a range of approaches, including Person-Centred Therapy, Gestalt, Internal Family Systems, psychodynamic thinking and Cognitive Behavioural techniques. I work mainly in a Person-Centred way which means that the therapy is shaped around you and your needs.

I won’t give advice since you're the expert on your own life, but I will remain alongside you in a supportive and collaborative way, helping you make connections, recognise patterns and move towards your goals or meaningful, positive change.

Alongside seeing clients, I am currently studying for a Level 5 qualification in Psychotherapeutic Counselling that focuses on anti-oppressive practice with Headstrong Academy.

I have been supporting adults (18+) within a busy NHS GP practice and through volunteering for the charities Mind and Cruse Bereavement for a number of years.

Other information

I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) so I adhere to its ethical framework, I have an up-to-date DBS check and am fully insured.

For face-to-face sessions I work from a welcoming, comfortable therapy space on the Kingston upon Thames/Surbiton border which has numerous public transport links close by.

I also offer online sessions nationwide via Zoom with the aim of offering more flexibility to clients.

Before booking a first session, I suggest a free 15-minute Zoom introductory call. This gives you the chance to get a sense of how I work and to decide whether you’d like to go ahead and book an initial assessment session. If you do, this first session will be 50 minutes long, the same as ongoing sessions, and offers an opportunity for us to get to know each another and see whether working together feels right for you. It is charged at the usual rate.

During the first assessment session, I’ll ask some questions to help me understand a little more about you and to check that the therapy I offer feels safe and appropriate for your needs. You’re free to share only what feels comfortable and at your own pace. This session is also a chance for you to ask questions or raise any concerns.

There’s no obligation to continue after this session. But if you decide to go ahead, we would usually agree an initial number of sessions (often six) and review how things are going together at that point before booking further appointments.

It’s important to me that therapy feels helpful for you, so building a trusting relationship and encouraging open, honest conversation is a key part of how I work.