Joanna Bleau
I am a psychotherapist, accredited with the Association of Core Process Psychotherapists (ACPP) and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). I am a qualified supervisor on the UKCP Supervisors register, supervising therapists and counsellors, including those in training.
My approach is predominantly psychodynamic in nature, which means we look at how current feelings and behaviour are shaped by the past. I also draw directly on approaches from meditation and mindfulness to help clients stay present with their feelings and build a deep understanding about how their experiences and habits can affect relationships, not least of which is the client’s relationship with themselves.
My psychotherapy training (MA in Core Process Mindfulness Based Psychotherapy) was with the Karuna Institute and Middlesex University. The supervision training (Diploma in Counselling Supervision) was with Physis, Edinburgh, and is informed by Transaction Analysis. Professionally I am also qualified in teaching mindfulness meditation, supporting Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) interventions and hold an Advanced Diploma in Executive Coaching.
Before becoming a psychotherapist I worked as a business psychologist and leadership executive coach with leaders. Before that I worked in the NHS as a Director of Human Resources, until the stresses of that life left me depleted and searching for meaning in my work.
Throughout my working life I have learned that the way things appear on the surface with people is frequently far from the reality within, that the impassive work face is often a mask for vulnerability, suffering and a desire for greater wellbeing. I have a developed an interest in grief, loss and the long term psycho-emotional effects of early life trauma. Additionally have deeply appreciated working therapeutically with clients going through gender transitions, neurodivergent identity issues, suicidal ideation and breakdown.
Alongside working, I moved from London to Edinburgh, had a daughter, got married, divorced, grieved for lost loved ones, succeeded, failed and experienced life in all its glorious highs and dreadful lows.
