Joanna Hopkins

Currently available to see clients: 

in-person: Tuesday 10-4.30 pm

Online:  Wednesday 12-6 pm 

I am an experienced Psychodynamic therapist working with adults for once weekly counselling  or intensive psychotherapy twice weekly.  I can see you for time-limited or open-ended work, depending on your needs. 

I have the skills to work with you and the experience to know when you might need a different kind of help than I can provide.  I have a particular interest in working with you if you have experienced trauma in childhood or lived through adversity.  I can help if you live with depression, high levels of anxiety, OCD and eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia.  

I have experience working with those living with chronic physical illness and cancer having worked as a counsellor in Cancer Services in the NHS.  

If you are having relationship difficulties, are on your own and lonely, facing life after divorce or bereavement, I have the patience and sensitivity to help you work through this time in your life.  

If you decide to have counselling with  me, you can expect first and foremost someone who will listen to you deeply giving you my full attention.  I will not judge or criticise and I provide an environment where you can form a relationship that keeps you safe.  The sessions allow you the freedom to speak about whatever is troubling you; I don't ask too many questions or structure the sessions - I don't have an agenda.  I will help you think about yourself and together we will explore the external reality of your life and relationships as well as your inner world- thoughts, hopes, fears, worries and dreams.  In trying to help you understand yourself better, we will look at your past to uncover the unhelpful patterns established over time which are influencing your present life.  With greater self-awareness you may gain the confidence to make changes enabling you to live with greater acceptance and freedom.

I have a Post-Graduate Diploma in Counselling from Reading University.  

I have undertaken further training in child development carrying out an Infant Observation. The paper I wrote on completion won the John Kelnar gold medal award from the British Psychotherapy Foundation. 

I have a Level 5 certificate in Working with Children and Young Peole. 

I have worked in a university counselling service, an NHS hospital and low-cost counselling agency.  I recently stepped down from teaching and supervising students on the Diploma Counselling Training at Basingstoke Counselling Service.  

I have carried out CPD in working with trauma. 

It isn't easy to ask for help.  If you read this profile and think I might be the right therapist for you, then below are the steps to take to start your therapy.

1. Email.  We will then arrange to speak.

2. FREE phone call of up to 20 minutes to see if we are a good 'fit' and I can help.

3. Initial session of up to 90 minutes, in-person or online, depending on need and availability.  This will be a chance to explore your difficulties and for both of us to decide whether to begin the therapy.  I will explain how therapy works as well as practical matters such as payment, holidays, missed session policy etc.  

My counselling room is in central Reading in a building where other therapists work called The Practice Rooms.  It offers a quiet and private space for you to explore what is troubling you and express your thoughts and feelings.  

I have availability to see you: 

In-person Tuesdays 10-4.30 pm

Online Wednesdays 12-7 pm 

I am an experienced Psychodynamic therapist with a PG Diploma in Counselling from the University of Reading (2012.)  I work in private practice with adults for once weekly counselling and more in-depth psychotherapy twice weekly. 

I am an experienced supervisor with a Diploma in Supervision from the Society for Analytical Psychotherapy (2017.)

I have worked with trainee counsellors offering group supervision for No5 Young People, Reading.  Here I worked with students  undertaking trainings in  different modalities, as well as with qualified practitioners.  At Basingstoke Counselling Service I worked psychodynamically with trainees on the Psychodynamic Counselling Diploma training.  

I also work with individuals in my private practice.  

Although the Psychodynamic modality is the basis of how I work and think as a therapist, I supervise therapists from a variety of theoretical trainings including Integrative, Existential, Humanistic, Jungian to name a few.  

I offer individual or group supervision for trainee and qualified counsellors.  We can meet either in person at my consulting room in central Reading or online.  

I work in a collaborative way and will help you develop your thinking about and understanding of the client and their issues especially when you feel stuck.  We will look at external reality and internal world of your clients; their defences and blind spots, their relationships and the dynamics in the counseling room between you and your client.  We will work in an exploratory and creative way.  At times, I will challenge you  if in your or the client's best interests.  

I will reinforce ethical and safe working in line with the BACP Ethica Framework for Good Practice.  

I will be a support when the work is challenging and when you are dealing with client risk or safeguarding issues.  

If, having read this profile, you think I might be the right supervisor for you then...

1. Contact me via email or phone and we'll arrange to 

2. Have an initial chat followed by 

3. Meeting online or in person to explore whether we are the right fit and want to work together.