"What would Jo Say?"

- A new space to share your problems with a seasoned therapist

WHAT WOULD JO SAY? is a new problem page coming to Substack where I’ll be responding to problems sent in to me weekly, drawing on my 26 years of practice as a psychodynamic counsellor.

‘What would Jo say?’ is something clients have often quoted in the therapy room. Between sessions, when they’re out in the world living their lives and wishing, for whatever reason, that their therapist could be at their side to consult with, or offer support in a moment of difficulty, they will try to imagine what I might be saying.

(I see this as hugely positive, because it shows they’re drawing on an internalised version of their therapist, and all the tools they’ve developed during sessions; in imagining what I might say to them, actually - they are consulting with themselves).

Why Now, Why Here?
When I was younger, the Agony Aunt columns in girls’ teen magazines fascinated me. I held a secret longing to be able to answer those dilemmas and problems myself. Here I now am, as an experienced therapist, supervisor and writer, taking a pause in my face to face work following a house-move /renovation project, and to make time to care for elderly relatives.

So I’m using Substack as a medium through which to continue sharing professional expertise gleaned from a career working with adults and young people in the therapy room, reflecting on dilemmas sent to me and posting a response.

Credentials
I’ve been a member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) through my 27 post-qualification years in practice, achieving Senior Accredited status and going on to supervise other therapists. I’ve also written on well-being internationally and run Write your Mind, workshops in writing for wellbeing and self-expression.

I’ve recently written a narrative memoir, Lessons from Leaning Trees, a Therapist’s Guide to Being Human which is on submission with my agent.

"What Would Jo Say?" is not a therapy session though, it’s an advice column where I will draw on my therapeutic knowledge and experience to offer support to those presenting their problems by identifying possible ways forward for contemplation. I also welcome comments and further chat on subjects broached.

Please send your problem to me via private message on Substack or email jo@writeyourmind.co.uk; I intend to offer a response to one per week. It’s helpful to bear in mind that you will be putting yourself and your issues out there; resist including clear identifying details, and try to keep your query to a couple of paragraphs.

I’ll be posting my first problem and response shortly!

Please share this post with anyone whom you feel may be interested -subscribing means you’ll receive them as emails, you’re not locked into anything else Substack-wise. I’m really looking forward to this new way of sharing my expertise and offering support and reflection through the medium of writing!