Joanne Lawrence

I am a fully qualified, BACP registered counsellor with 11 years’ experience of working with adults, children and young people. Alongside my work here at The Road Centre, I deliver counselling within primary and secondary schools. In addition to my counselling degree, I have an honours degree in Education which is beneficial in navigating the complexities of young peoples experience of school life.

I have a special interest in working with trauma and abuse. Prior to working with The Road Centre, I worked within a domestic abuse service for women and also within a women's prison. I am a qualified ‘Freedom Programme Domestic Abuse Intervention’ facilitator and have additional qualifications in working with trauma, sexual abuse, self harm and suicidal ideation I take a non pathologising perspective in my work with trauma an abuse.

I am currently undertaking my final year of a Psychotherapy Masters. My core model is Person Centred which places the relationship between client and counsellor at its heart, however, I use an integrative approach in my work in order to meet individual client needs. As children can find it difficult to talk about their issues, therapy with younger children is facilitated by exploring thoughts and feelings through Play Therapy in The Road Centre’s safe and confidential Therapy room.

I am passionate individual who committed to continuous further professional development. I am currently in the final year of my Psychotherapy Masters. As a person, I am spiritually agnostic, and my own practice of meditation, wild swimming and mindfulness in nature help me centre myself as a therapist. I love art and enjoy bringing creativity into my sessions with clients when appropriate.

I greatly believe in the power of counselling and its ability to enable people to reduce anxiety and depression, address trauma, increase self-awareness and create the change they desire.