Jo Robinson-castro
Therapy in Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire
I am a therapist working face to face from both the Old Town of Stevenage in Hertfordshire and Wilstead in Bedfordshire. I also offer online sessions via Zoom for those living across the UK.
Therapy can help you to navigate periods of difficulty in your life including times when you may feel low, stuck or just not quite like yourself. I offer a warm, empathic and non-judgemental space where we can think together.
Having the opportunity to think about your experiences in a therapeutic setting can support you to develop increased self-awareness and positively impact your experience of being in the world. I believe everyone can benefit from the support of therapy at different stages in life.
About me
I am a BACP registered integrative therapist working in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. I have a particular interest in loss and grief, which I believe touches all of our lives in myriad ways. I am also interested in working with issues connected with our relationship with food and body image.
I have experience working with a wide range of clients, including within a leading mental health charity. As a white, British, heterosexual, able-bodied cis, female I am aware of the privilege my identity affords me as I move through the world. Differences in identity, especially for those with multiple intersections, can feel challenging, complicated and nuanced. I welcome working with those from all cultural identities and strive to offer a holding and safe space for exploration.
Qualifications
I trained at the Minster Centre, one of the UK’s leading training institutes, in integrative counselling and psychotherapy and hold a Diploma in Integrative Counselling (a Level 7 BACP Accredited qualification).
I am in the process of completing an advanced diploma and master’s degree in integrative counselling and psychotherapy, also at the Minster Centre, which is accredited by Middlesex University.
As a registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), I follow their ethical principles, values and good practice standards. This includes having regular supervision with a UKCP registered and BACP registered supervisor and undertaking ongoing additional professional training.
How I work
My Integrative Approach
I work in an integrative way, drawing on different therapeutic theories as appropriate for you as an individual.
While I draw on a number of different modalities, including person-centred, attachment theory and trauma informed thinking, my therapeutic approach is fundamentally relational, existential and embodied.
Relational & Embodied Therapy
Working relationally, I believe that what happens between us can reflect your relationships in the wider world. It may be useful to think about your life history and early years, especially in thinking about how patterns from your past may be replicating in your present. I believe that the therapeutic relationship is co-created with us each bringing our individual experiences to meet in the shared therapeutic space.
Working in an embodied way I track my own feelings and bodily sensations while also inviting you to bring attention to yours. The body holds a wealth of information that I believe we can become conditioned to override or ignore. Gently bringing attention back to our bodies can support our emotional wellbeing.
Existential Thinking
For me, existential thinking can help us to make sense of our place in a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming and absurd.
Together we’ll explore how you experience and cope with the anxieties and uncertainties that are a fundamental part of human existence.
Issues I Work With
People come to me for help a wide range of issues. Here are a few of the more common difficulties that can be supported through therapy:
Stress
Depression
Major life changes
Relationship difficulties
Low confidence
& self-worth
Anxiety
Suicidal thoughts
Issues with food & body image
Sense of belonging
Health anxiety
Grief, loss or bereavement
Self-harm
Identity
Trauma
My Location
I offer in person therapy sessions from a comfortable, confidential space in Stevenage Old Town, Hertfordshire, which is in easy reach of Hitchin, Letchworth, Baldock and surrounding villages. There is free parking available close by.
I also offer in person sessions from Wilstead in Bedfordshire. The centre is in a beautiful rural location with plenty of parking and is easily accessible from Ampthill, Flitwick, Shefford and Bedford.
I see clients online via Zoom too, allowing us to meet with you in a comfortable, private space of your choosing. Online sessions are available for clients living across the UK.
Contact me to make an appointment or with any questions you may have.
Fees & Availability
I work face-to-face and online via Zoom, offering both daytime and evening appointments. We can either meet in a comfortable, confidential space in either Stevenage Old Town or in Wilstead Bedfordshire. Alternatively, we can schedule to meet online with you in a private space of your choosing.
Sessions last for 50 minutes and are offered at the same agreed time each week. Carving out a regular space for therapy each week is an important part of the process.
Get in touch
Please contact me if you have any questions about how therapy works or to arrange an initial appointment.
You are welcome to call me on 07828 482483 if you would prefer to talk rather than email. If I am unable to answer, you can leave a short message with your contact details, and I will get back to you.
A brief call enables us to discuss your reasons for thinking about therapy, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist for you to work with.
All enquiries are usually responded to within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential.
FAQ
How can therapy help?
Therapy is a different experience to talking with friends or family members. Exploring your experiences with a qualified professional supports you to better understand yourself and your emotions and to develop new ways of being in the world. It can be helpful with a range of issues including anxiety, depression, relationship problems and self-worth.
What type of therapy do you offer and is this right for me?
I am an integrative therapist which means I’ve trained in a number of different approaches and work in a way that is uniquely tailored to you as an individual. I will invite you to tell me what brings you to therapy and together we’ll decide on a way forward. As an integrative therapist practicing relationally, I see therapy as a collaborative process with you in the driving seat and me alongside.
How often should I have a therapy session?
Therapy sessions take place weekly, for 50 minutes, at the same agreed time. Regular sessions allow you to build a strong trust with your therapist, while regularly exploring your thoughts and emotions together. Meeting regularly and consistently helps you to fully engage with the therapeutic process and make progress towards your goals.
How do I choose a therapist?
When choosing a therapist it’s important to find someone that you feel you can connect with. This can mean contacting a few therapists before deciding who you want to work with. I offer a free 15-minute telephone call prior to a first session so that we can discuss any initial questions or concerns you may have.
Does what we talk about remain confidential?
Everything you say is confidential. The only exception to this would be if I have a concern that you are a threat to yourself or the safety of anyone else, or if I’m required to by law. If this becomes necessary, I will endeavour to discuss it with you first.
How many sessions will I need?
The therapeutic process is individual, so there isn’t a set answer to this. Some people may come for a short period, such as 6 to 12 sessions, while others may continue coming for months or even years. When we start working together we will usually agree an initial number of sessions and then informally review how things are going. Endings are an important part of therapy so this is something that we will hold in mind throughout our time together.