I’m Jo Pang, a registered counsellor and psychotherapist based in the UK.  My background in psychology and the helping professions is extensive, beginning with my studies in psychology more than 2 decades ago.

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After completing a BSc degree in Psychology followed by a foundation course in Dance Movement Psychotherapy, I held contract positions in the finance industry to cover student bills and fund further postgraduate study in Psychology.  I held contracts in the City in London and back on Guernsey, so I do have some experience of the pressures of office life.  After office hours I worked towards a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychological Research Methods.  At the same time, I began various voluntary roles for organisations such as the Samaritans where I began building my therapeutic skills. 

 

Beginning at school and onwards, my life has been dedicated to training and practising in Psychological Therapies.  Over the years I have worked with many different client groups in a variety of settings.  My past work includes:

 

• being a carer for looked after children and adults with disabilities and autism

• assistant psychologist in CAMHS

• training in social work in the Guernsey Probation Service including community, court and prison work

• bereavement counselling

• supervisor and trainer for local counselling organisations

• trainee psychologist/psychological therapist in secondary mental health care

• trainee psychologist/psychological therapist for adults with learning disabilities and autism

• training in diagnostic assessments for autism

• psychological therapist for adults in primary care offering short term therapy

 

I have an interest in working with both sides of domestic violence and have also been a group leader for groupwork with men who are violent to women as well as a therapist for victims of domestic abuse.

 

I have completed the clinical aspect of training for a Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology & Psychotherapy with Middlesex University.  This includes BPS approved level 8 training in groups and supervision.  Currently, I’m working on a research project and thesis that is the last piece of the Doctorate which will enable me to register with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist.   My doctoral research is a bereavement study exploring how adults with autism experience bereavement. 

 

My approach to therapy and life is ‘existential’ and I’m registered with the BACP as an existential counsellor and psychotherapist.  I'm also a Professional Member of the Association for Counselling and Therapy Online (ACTO). I have worked as a cognitive behavioural therapist, been trained in several modalities and completed courses in mindfulness.  However, my preferred method of practice is a focusing oriented approach to psychotherapy.  This means that sometimes I work with a person’s ‘felt sense’ of their predicament.  This is a more bodily focused way of working than some other approaches but having said all that, I’m happy to explore different ways of working with different clients.  Overall, I value an egalitarian and collaborative approach to therapeutic work of any kind.

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Every person with whom I work is respected as a unique individual and I welcome all kinds of people into my practice.  Therapy is a chance to be seen and understood for who you really are, whatever your age, lifestyle, culture, sexuality or gender.