About Joanna Strong
What is it like to work with me?
I'm Jo. I'm a BACP-accredited counsellor, clinical sexologist, EMDR therapist and clinical supervisor with nearly 20 years experience. I work where sex, relationships, trauma, identity and emotional wellbeing meet, because these things rarely stay separate. Anxiety can affect desire. Trauma can show up in relationships. Grief, identity, low mood and self-esteem can shape how we feel about ourselves and how we connect with others. That's why I also offer wider psychotherapy.
I'm friendly and collaborative, but I'm also active and direct. I'll listen carefully, ask questions, tell you what I'm noticing and challenge patterns when it might help. You won't be left trying to fill 50 minutes while I sit silently.
You might arrive knowing exactly what you want to talk about, or only knowing that something feels off. Either is a good place to start. We can talk about the things you've been avoiding, the questions you're embarrassed to ask, and the patterns that you're bored of repeating. My job is to help you make sense of what's happening and work out what you want to do next.
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
- Advanced Certificate in Neurodiversity-Informed Practice
- 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
I'm committed to ongoing professional development and complete at least 30 hours of CPD each year.
This helps keep my knowledge current, develop my clinical practice and provide informed, ethical and effective support to my clients.
My Personal Approach
I work pluralistically. Put simply, this means I don't expect you to fit into one type of therapy. We'll work together to figure out what you want from our sessions and what might help you get there. I draw on counselling theories and approaches such as relational, psychodynamic, and cognitive work, alongside trauma-informed practice, EMDR, nervous system work and clinical sexology. That might mean making sense of past experiences, noticing beliefs or relationship patterns that keep showing up, working with trauma or anxiety, or trying practical exercises between sessions. I'll explain why I'm suggesting something, and you can tell me if it doesn't feel useful.
This is a talking therapy. We can talk openly about sex and intimacy, but there is no sexual touching or physical examination in session. That would cross professional and ethical boundaries. If I suggest an exercise, you can choose whether to do it in your time and space, but we'll talk through what it involves first.
Who I work with
I work with adults on their own, as couples, or in intimate partner relationships. Whatever your sexuality, gender, neurotype, body, culture or relationship structure, you're welcome to bring your whole self, including the parts you're not sure how to talk about...yet!