“The purpose of our lives is to be happy”. Dalai Lama
My name is Joanne McQuillan. I began my journey in counselling 25 years ago but due to family circumstances was not able to continue studies. Family bereavement changed how I looked at the world and my life, and I returned to study. With the guidance of excellent counselling tuition and experienced supervision, I completed a foundation degree in counselling. I then completed diplomas in cognitive behaviour therapy, child psychology, couples counselling, counselling children, young people and counselling supervision. I also have teaching qualifications which enable me to write and deliver bespoke mental health related courses and work part time as a college lecturer.
I have worked and volunteered, for various charities and agencies for over 10 years and opened my private practice in 2017. The therapy room offers clients privacy in an accessible home office offering clients convenience with off road parking and is fully wheelchair accessible.
Over the years I have added to my professional knowledge, skills and qualifications by attending continuous professional development training, to offer a variety of counselling modalities. Counselling requires a high level of self awareness to ensure ethical and safe practise so I regularly attend my own supervision and personal therapy to enable me to process my own ‘stuff’ too. Once I learned to recognise my patterns of behaviour and relating to others, I was able to make the choice to change and grow within. Counselling has given me a deeper level of understanding myself and the world around me, my past lived experiences and how they impacted me throughout my life.