Jo is a Psychotherapist, a Supervisor & Mindfulness Teacher at Encounter Therapy, and a Lecturer in Counselling & Psychotherapy as well as a having a practice as a Counsellor. She is a member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy.

Jo works in the NHS with children, young people and families supporting them to work through complex mental health issues which can run through families for generations. She also works in private practice with individuals. For the last 8 years Jo has trained students in counselling and psychotherapy and has also delivered mindfulness and personal development training for Essex County Council and also hospice staff.

Jo is one of the three founders of the CCN Study Group, and led the group for its first three years, having been introduced to Alan’s teachings in 2011 by Elizabeth on a retreat and feeling like she had come home. Challenging early life experiences inspired her to seek a career in supporting others to feel free to be who they are – her professional motto – and she has done so as a therapist and educator.

Jo regards herself as a practitioner rather than a scholar, and is guided in life by some of the basic principles of Buddhist philosophy such as The Four Noble Truths, for which she is grateful. As such, she has put together a programme for beginners or anyone who might be interested in the neuroscience behind the practice of mindfulness, which can be helpful to the western mind.

Seasoned meditators who might wish to refresh by going back to basics might also benefit. It’s a mindfulness training plus personal development course which will allow participants to apply the practice to everyday life in order to develop tolerance to challenging emotions, thus building emotional resilience.