Joanna Baars

I am a qualified Humanistic/Pluralistic Counsellor registered with the NCPS, and a practising Hypnotherapist registered with the HS. My approach integrates three core modalities, Person-Centred Humanistic, Psychodynamic, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, allowing me to tailor support to each client's unique needs.

I specialise in supporting clients through childhood trauma and emotional abuse (both adults and young people aged 0–18), as well as helping individuals rebuild their relationship with self. With a strong foundation in anxiety, stress, depression, grief, bereavement, infertility, addiction, neurodivergence (including ASD, ADHD, and OCD), LGBTQIA+ issues, and trauma, I have a broad yet sensitive understanding of the many challenges people face.

I've been working in private practice for the past year, following 18 months of clinical placement experience with both remote adult clients (Choose Therapy) and in-person work with 11–18-year-olds (Place2Be). I bring real-world insight to my work, drawing from both professional practice and personal experience, particularly in my dual role as a counsellor and hypnotherapist.

My passion for counselling stems from a deep-rooted sense of empathy, non-judgement, and connection. I believe everyone deserves a safe, respectful space to explore their feelings at their own pace. My ethos is grounded in creating an environment where clients feel truly heard, validated, and empowered to move towards greater self-congruence.

I also bring lived experience into my practice. I am a parent to a neurodivergent child and understand the day-to-day challenges this can bring. My son is preverbal with echolalia and experiences emotional dysregulation, which has taught me the power of active listening, unconditional positive regard, and the importance of providing a consistent and safe space for growth. Many of my clients also identify as neurodivergent, and this area has naturally evolved into a key strength in my practice.

Additionally, I offer specialised fertility counselling, having navigated IVF myself through an egg-sharing programme. This journey not only brought my son into the world, but also gave another couple the chance to have a child of their own, something I consider to be one of the most meaningful contributions I've made. I attended several therapeutic assessments to ensure emotional preparedness for this experience, which offered profound insight into the emotional and psychological complexities of fertility. I now often work with individuals and couples facing fertility challenges, offering both professional and empathic support during what can be a deeply isolating time.

My commitment to self-reflection and personal growth is ongoing; I have engaged in personal therapy for over a decade to support various aspects of my life, including infertility, bereavement, and relationship challenges. This continuous self-work informs my therapeutic approach and keeps me grounded in the values I share with my clients.

I am passionate about making a meaningful contribution to the mental health field and am seeking opportunities where I can continue to grow as a practitioner, support a diverse client base, and contribute positively to an organisation's values and vision. I would love the opportunity to be part of a team making a genuine difference.