Joanna Summers

I am currently taking on new clients.

Sessions are available online throughout the UK or face-to-face in Shropshire. I offer weekly or fortnightly appointments, with flexible hours where possible to fit around work, caring responsibilities and other commitments.

Trauma, anxiety, depression and low mood are often what bring someone to counselling in the first place. But behind every difficulty is a unique person, with their own experiences, relationships, history and way of making sense of the world.

My work meets each person with the same starting point: respect for the person in front of me, rather than a fixed process.

As a qualified Counsellor and Psychotherapist, MBACP, I hold an MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy and a Certificate in Counselling. My core therapeutic approach is Person-Centred and humanistic, supported by an integrative counselling background. I believe the therapeutic relationship is central to meaningful therapeutic work, and that being genuinely heard and understood can create the space for change.

I bring around thirty years of professional experience across education, community work and holistic wellbeing, alongside my counselling and psychotherapy practice. I have also founded and developed my own holistic wellbeing practice, giving me extensive experience of working with people from diverse backgrounds and creating professional spaces centred on wellbeing, trust and personal development.

What to Expect

Sessions are 50 minutes and take place weekly or fortnightly, either online throughout the UK or face-to-face in Shropshire.

We can begin with whatever has brought you to counselling. You don't need to arrive with a clear explanation of what is happening or know exactly what you want from therapy. We can take time to explore things together and allow the work to develop from there.

Some people come with a particular difficulty or a period of distress, while others have a sense that something needs attention or that they would like to understand themselves differently.

There is no fixed number of sessions. Some people find shorter-term counselling helpful, while others benefit from longer-term work. We can review how things are going together and agree an ending when the time feels right.

My practice is guided by the BACP Ethical Framework and supported by regular professional clinical supervision.

Getting Started

The first introductory session is free of charge and lasts around 30 minutes. It gives us an opportunity to meet, talk about what has brought you to counselling and get a sense of whether we might work well together. From the beginning, I aim to approach this in the same person-centred way as our ongoing work. Future sessions then continue at my standard rate.

Taking the first step can sometimes feel daunting. If you feel ready to explore how we might work together, please get in touch to arrange your free introductory session, and we can take it from there.