Jo Read , BACP

Jo Read is a BACP-registered counsellor and qualified social worker who trained at Sweet Track Counselling in Glastonbury, earning a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling accredited by the Counselling and Psychotherapy Awarding Body (CPCAB) in 2016. She completed her placement with the Sweet Track Agency and holds a current Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced certificate (DBS) for work with young people under 16. With over 20 years of experience working with young people and adults across youth and community work, education, mental health and social care, she brings a broad background to her therapeutic practice.

She works primarily within a Person-Centred framework, drawing on the core conditions of unconditional positive regard, empathy and congruence to build a respectful and boundaried therapeutic relationship. As a registered member of the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP), she follows professional values and principles and maintains relevant insurance, monthly supervision and her own personal counselling to support ongoing development.

Jo uses open questions and active listening skills - including reflection, summarising and immediacy - to help clients articulate their experience and identify their concerns. The initial session provides space to decide whether to work together and to complete a counselling contract and assessment that clarify goals and expectations. Her aims are to offer meaningful support to young people and adults in distress and to alleviate psychological suffering through talking therapy and other agreed tools, always placing the client’s agenda at the centre of the work.

Online Support Using Client-Centered and Emotion-Focused Approaches

Jo integrates Client-Centered Therapy and Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) to guide online work. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, non-directive stance in which the therapist offers empathy, acceptance and genuine presence so clients can explore concerns, build self-understanding and work through life transitions or relationship issues. Emotionally-Focused Therapy helps people identify and work with core emotions and attachment patterns, which can be especially useful for relationship difficulties, grief and trauma-related responses.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Jo collaborates with each client to identify which methods fit their needs, goals and preferences, adapting techniques over time so the work remains aligned with what is most helpful for the individual.

Online sessions - by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging - offer practical flexibility and make it easier to access regular support from licensed professionals without travel. These options allow clients to schedule sessions that suit their routines, maintain continuity of care through life changes, and engage in therapy in formats that feel most comfortable for them.