About me
Who am I?
My name is Joanna Strong. I am a qualified Counsellor, Psychologist, EMDR therapist, Clinical Sexologist and Clinical Supervisor who has been in practice for nearly twenty years.
I love my job and work empathically with people to help them work through issues that keep them stuck or in a place of unhappiness. I value being open, honest, and, most of all, human, and I would encourage you to be the same. No one is perfect; we are all messy, and that's okay.
Rest assured, I'm not a therapist who sits in silence, expecting you to fill the space for 50 minutes each session. We will work together, unpick things, look at things differently, gain new perspectives, and use the latest insights to make positive changes in your life. Your voice will be heard and valued in our sessions.
As well as Private Practice, I have previously worked for many years in the NHS with parents and prospective parents dealing with issues such as grief, antenatal and postnatal depression, trauma, depression, and anxiety.
I have also worked with young people and teenagers aged 11-25, having worked for a counselling service for young people based in Greenwich and education.
My qualifications include:
- Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Psychosexual & Relationship Therapy (Current)
- Level 7 Diploma in Clinical Supervision
- Level 7 Diploma in Clinical Sexology & Relationship Therapy
- MSc Psychology
- EMDR Training Part 1, 2 and 3 (working with trauma)
- Ba Hons Counselling
- Diploma in Integrative Counselling
- Graduate Certificate in Psychology
- Certificate in Dating and Relationship Coaching
- Certificate in Counselling Skills and Theory
- Certificate in Counselling Skills
- Certificate in Interpersonal Skills
- Child protection training
About the Sidcup and South East Counselling Service
The Sidcup and South East London Counselling Service has been helping people cope with various issues, including trauma, sex & relationship issues, depression, anxiety, parenthood, divorce, loss, and grief.
Conveniently located in Sidcup (See Map), it’s within easy reach of Bexley, Greenwich, Bromley, Dartford, New Eltham, Welling, Plumstead, Bexleyheath, and Eltham in South-East London, City of London, and Kent. Transport connections include the B13, 286, 51 bus routes, the A2 and A20, and New Eltham and Sidcup train stations.
Free parking is available on the street outside.
Daytime and evening appointments available.
My Personal Approach
I am an Integrative Counsellor drawing on the Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioural, Humanistic, and Transpersonal schools of theory. I also use EMDR (Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing), a psychotherapy used to help process and recover from past experiences affecting your mental health and well-being. Each of us is an individual, so I tailor the therapy to meet your needs.
Psychodynamic Theory is based on the idea that past experiences and relationships can affect how we live our lives in the present. Therefore, uncovering unconscious patterns of behaviour and motivations will ease mental suffering.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy helps to identify and change self-defeating or irrational beliefs and behaviours, by challenging and altering negative and distorted ways of thinking.
Humanistic Theory is used to build a trusting, empathic, accepting, and genuine working relationship between therapist and client.
Transpersonal Theory is a holistic approach that utilizes creative imagination and exploration.
EMDR (Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that helps people recover from distressing events causing problems such as flashbacks, upsetting thoughts or images, nightmares, anxiety, and depression.
A Pluralistic approach to Sex and Relationship Therapy provides a diverse and inclusive space for clients to explore their unique needs and preferences. I believe in tailoring therapy to each individual's experiences and fostering a supportive environment that encourages open communication and personal growth.
Who I work with
As a counsellor, I work with adults, parents, and young people (aged 18 to 25) and work with individuals and couples on a one-to-one basis, either for an agreed period of time or on an open-ended basis with the aim of enabling you to enhance your life and to live it more fully.
I work with individuals and couples with a broad range of emotional, psychological, and mental health difficulties impacting their day-to-day lives and relationships, for example, grief, depression, and anxiety.
I work with people who have suffered a traumatic experience and may be suffering from post-traumatic stress, flashbacks to the event, as well as fear and anxiety on a daily basis.
I work with people facing challenges in their sex lives and relationships. This problem may have been there for a while or has recently developed after normal functioning, but you just didn't know where to get help. This, in turn, can lead to low self-esteem and the problem worsening.
I work with young people aged 18-25 supporting them through the difficult transition from childhood to adolescence into adulthood who experience issues such as depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, sexuality, gender, parental conflict, parent separation/divorce, making and keeping friends, self-harm and bullying as well as any other worries or concerns. Counselling can help young people express their feelings and tell their stories with someone they can trust, enabling them to make informed choices and develop a positive attitude whilst building confidence and self-esteem to feel better about themselves.
I work with parents through the life-altering transition to parenthood, dealing with emotions that are new, unexpected, or unfamiliar, particularly stress, postnatal depression, anxiety, grief, loss, and trauma.
Book an initial consultation with me today