Joanne Kay

Online only therapist. I am additionally trained in working online (This is normally via a Google Meet link which requires no sign-up and nothing to download). I have availability for sessions through the day on most weekday mornings/afternoons. I am flexible with times so do get in touch with your availability and I will endeavour to match up a time slot, however at the moment I don't offer sessions in the evenings.

I am a psychodynamic attachment-based therapist, which means I will encourage you to explore the root causes of issues you might be facing today. I recognise and respect that looking for those 'roots' can require courage. My way of working does sometimes involve gentle challenge, but ultimately, my approach is laid-back and supportive - you are the expert on your own life and experience, and I intend to support you in finding insight. My focus on attachment means my approach recognises the importance of relationships and connections in present life, in childhood, and between us in the therapy room.

Clients that begin to work with me often do so because they find that their feelings, thoughts or other psychological symptoms have begun to affect areas of functioning in life; they find that coping mechanisms that have been helpful in the past (whether 'healthy' or 'unhealthy') are beginning to work less effectively. Often I work with relationship difficulties, whether romantic relationships, family or friendships.

The first full session is usually my opportunity to learn about what brought you to seek counselling. We may discuss what any ongoing work might look like, and I may carry out an informal assessment to ensure I'm able to meet your requirements. You can also ask me any questions you may have about therapy in general, or me and my approach.

I provide online supervision only. My availability tends to be Mon-Fri between 10am and 2:30pm. I can be flexible with availability however at the moment I do not work evenings.

My approach is informed primarily by attachment theory and psychodynamic thinking, alongside ideas from mentalisation and relational practice. I am particularly interested in how the therapist’s experience in the room can be used as valuable information in understanding the client and the therapeutic process.

My supervision style is collaborative, thoughtful and grounded in curiosity. Rather than positioning myself as the expert with the answers, I aim to create a space where we can 'put our heads together' and think together about the client, the therapeutic relationship, and what might be happening beneath the surface.

 This reflective process can often open up new perspectives and possibilities in the work.

Alongside my clinical work, I am also a counselling tutor. This means I have a strong understanding of the training journey and the challenges therapists often face while developing their practice. For therapists in training or newly qualified, I can offer formative support, helping you reflect on your work, strengthen your clinical thinking, and grow in confidence as a practitioner.

My aim is to create a supervision space that feels supportive, thoughtful and professionally grounded, where therapists can feel both held and constructively challenged in their development.

I am happy to offer an initial phone call or online meeting, as an opportunity for us to get a sense of whether working together feels like a good fit. Supervision works best when there is openness, trust and a shared way of thinking about the work, so the first meeting is partly about getting to know one another professionally.

In our initial session we will usually begin by talking about your practice, the setting you work in, the kinds of clients you see, and what you hope to gain from supervision. If you are in training, we can also discuss the requirements of your course and how supervision can support your development.

I will explain how I tend to work as a supervisor, including the reflective and collaborative nature of my approach, and there will be space for you to ask any questions about the process.

If you have client work you would like to bring, we can also begin thinking together about that. Supervision with me often involves exploring the therapeutic relationship, noticing your experience in the room as the therapist, and becoming curious about what might be happening in the minds of both client and therapist.

By the end of the session we can decide whether it feels right to continue working together and discuss practicalities such as frequency of supervision, contracting and professional requirements.