Joanna Ham

Verified Professional Verified Professional
Verified Professional

Every professional displayed on Hypnotherapy Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.

BA (Hons), HG DipP, MHGI, GQHP
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Bristol, BS1
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

‘I just wanted to say thank you. It’s literally been the best therapy I’ve ever experienced – and I’ve had a lot!’ Young man with history of serious mental health challenges. 4 online sessions. Oct 2020

You don't have to feel worse before you can get better!

You can feel calmer and more positive after your very first session.*

When you're feeling emotional distress you need the right support to help you feel calmer and get back on track as soon as possible.

Perhaps you’re suffering with anxiety, depression, anger, family issues, stress or you need help with weight loss.

Are you struggling with addictions such as smoking, gambling, internet use, food, drugs or alcohol abuse?

Maybe grief, trauma or phobias are holding you back: whether it's fear of flying, insomnia, generalised anxiety, or past traumas, hypnotherapy can achieve remarkable results in surprisingly few sessions.

Here’s what people say after one or more consultations with me:

‘Jo is a great listener and provides time for us both to speak. She has helped us and myself beyond words can describe. Will definitely recommend her to my patients’. GP, couples and individual therapy, Dec 2020

‘I saw how she was able to naturally open up to you and trust you with her feelings. I was really impressed with you and how you work and I think you would be able to help my daughter get through this difficult time in her life.’ Mum of 5 year old, Mar 2021

Working with Jo has been brilliant. I feel so much better in myself and feel like I have my "zing" back after a long time without it. The work she did with me on breaking old thought patterns was amazing and has really helped me feel calm and in control.’ NHS Consultant, 4 online sessions, May 2020

'I hope every sufferer out there finds themselves a Jo! Thank you for everything, for giving him a chance at a happy life.' Partner of severely traumatised veteran, 5 sessions, July 2015


.........................................................................................................................................................................

*How do I know that my clients feel calmer and more positive?

Because I take a short confidential outcome measure before and after each appointment. This helps us to set appropriate goals for your therapy, and importantly it helps to signal when the therapy is over, so you don't need to keep coming back endlessly, thus saving you time and money, as well as helping you feel better faster. I won't dwell unnecessarily on your past, although I'm trained to help you move on quickly and safely from trauma and phobias and get back on track with the minimum of fuss.

As a human givens psychotherapist, I offer a refreshingly practical and positive approach to hypnotherapy that gives effective, lasting results. Based on the most up-to-date findings in neuroscience and positive psychology, the human givens approach allows me to tailor swift, sensible support to the individual needs of each person who comes to see me.

We'll work together to examine what is and isn't working in your life so we can set the right goals to help you move forward. You may be pleasantly surprised at how quickly and comfortably you can make the changes you need.

I specialise in helping people of all ages overcome anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma and phobias fast - in an average of four sessions.

But don't just take my word for it: a simple, confidential set of questions tracks your wellbeing each session so we can make sure you're moving in the right direction, from our very first meeting.


.........................................................................................................................................................................


So how does it work? Here's a story

This real story tells of a woman's rapid progress over six sessions, July to September 2014.

Amanda (not her real name) had not felt able to go out of her house alone for two decades. She scored 23/40 on wellbeing before our first session, which showed she was in a moderate degree of distress at the start of therapy.

Steady improvement

Her scores improved steadily each week as she relaxed and practised the calming down techniques and tasks I taught her. She got through a setback before session 3 and her wellbeing dipped slightly. But by listening to the personalised recordings I made for her and relaxing deeply, she rehearsed in her mind feeling calm while doing the activities which had previously been out of her reach.

She was soon able to go out alone and confidently resume her activities, such as cycling, travelling on a bus, going shopping.

After her fourth session she was scoring significantly below the 'cut-off' line in the chart, ie coping like any healthy person. After four sessions she reported, 'Last night I slept without waking up until 7! And I feel even more relieved, all those old daily waking nightmares are gone!' After her sixth session she had brought her score down to 3/40, and we agreed that she did not need to see me again.

Here's what she said to me just before her final session, 'I have received so much comfort from your comments on my progress [...] I'm really running out of things that bother me!'

She contacted me several months later to let me know that the changes were permanent - no more being dragged back by her past.

Supporting children and teenagers

As well as helping adults, I specialise in working with children and young people from 4-18, and work as a School Counsellor in primary and secondary schools across North London. I've helped numerous youngsters cope with the things that can derail young people in today's pressurised world.

'It's awesome and cool with Jo.' Feedback from boy, 7, learning healthy ways to cope, Sept 2015.
.........................................................................................................................................................................

From our very first meeting, I will help you relax and feel confident so you can -

* Feel better quickly and safely

* Use your own strengths and skills to overcome difficulties

*
Move forward and put past events behind you – for good

*
Make the changes you need to get your life back on track

For more details and client feedback please visit johamcounselling.co.uk

For more information on the human givens approach please visit hgi.org.uk

..................................................................................................................................................


Getting started is simple
Just phone me with any questions you may have: 07958 783596
or email: jo@johamcounselling.co.uk

Training, qualifications & experience

I first heard about the human givens approach on BBC Radio in 2003. I was gripped by the sensible, practical way it helps people to make positive changes in their lives. After a very helpful experience visiting a human givens therapist, I decided to retrain so that I could offer others similar support.

My QUALIFICATIONS include:

  • MA-level Postgraduate Diploma in Human Givens Psychotherapy (Distinction) - Nottingham Trent University / Human Givens College
  • Registered Human Givens Supervisor
  • General Qualification in Hypnotherapy
  • BA (hons) Hispanic Studies (First Class) - University of Manchester

Professional Memberships
Human Givens Institute, accredited by the Professional Standards Authority
Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council, accredited by the Professional Standards Authority
Human Givens Supervisor Register, accredited by the Professional Standards Authority
General Hypnotherapy Register
International Center for Clinical Excellence

Sensible help for all ages
I have a busy private practice where I love working with people at all stages of life. It is so satisfying to see a person moving on from anxiety, depression, relationship and family difficulties, phobias or any of the other multiple challenges we may face in life.

Emotional Resilience at work
I devise and run Emotional Resilience courses to help people cope at work. I offer tailored group work and individual sessions as needed. I also run specialist trauma and stress management courses for people at work.

Schools Counselling and Training
I run individual counselling sessions working one-to-one with children and young people in many schools, as well as training for teachers, students and parents.

Human Givens College Tutor
I am also a Tutor for Human Givens College, running courses on advanced trauma treatment for therapists.

Military post-traumatic stress
I am an accredited therapist with the charity PTSD Resolution, providing treatment to veterans to resolve the mental health problems associated with military trauma. These problems can obstruct a normal range of family and work relationships for veterans, and yet can frequently be resolved with the right kind of help.

I hold full insurance and an enhanced DBS certificate for working with vulnerable children/young people.

......................................................................................................................................................................

Getting started is simple
Just phone me with any questions you may have: 07958 783596
or email: jo@johamcounselling.co.uk

Member organisations

CNHC
Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)

The CNHC encompasses many types of alternative therapy, including hypnotherapy.

In order to be admitted to the register a practitioner must have studied to the National Occupational Standards for that profession/discipline, or have reached the equivalent of the National Occupational Standards through other relevant training or at least three years of experience and been assessed by their peers.

A practitioner must also have professional insurance and agree to abide by the CNHC Code of Conduct, Performance and Ethics.

GHR
The General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR)

Hypnotherapists may become members of the General Hypnotherapy Register if they satisfy certain criteria with regard to both training and ongoing requirements as determined from time to time by the General Hypnotherapy Standards Council (GHSC).

Members are either registered at Practitioner status (which confirms that the GHR acknowledges their qualification to practice), or Affiliate status. Although Affiliate level registrants will have completed a sufficient number of training hours to equip them to commence seeing clients on a limited basis, the GHR does not acknowledge them to have yet been trained to full practitioner level.

All GHR Registered Practitioners are required to accept the published Code of Ethics and Complaints & Disciplinary Procedure.

Accredited register membership

Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council
Accredited Register Scheme

The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.

Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council

Areas of hypnotherapy I deal with

Information about health conditions (*)

Hypnotherapy can enhance the well-being of individuals diagnosed with serious medical conditions, but should not take the place of medical treatment and advice. If you have been diagnosed with - or suspect you may have - any of these conditions, please speak to your doctor before starting hypnotherapy.

Other areas of hypnotherapy I deal with

I can also offer hypnotherapy and mindfulness to help you reach your goals as swiftly and easily as possible.

I can offer therapy in Spanish, Italian, and with slightly less fluency, in Portuguese and French.


.....................................................................................................................................................................

Supervision
I am a qualified Human Givens Supervisor, which means that I have the skills and expertise to offer one-to-one or group supervision to therapists and hypnotherapists. I also offer coaching and supervision to senior management teams in education or in business, as well as leaders of charities and other support groups in the therapeutic and charitable sectors.

The Human Givens approach to supervision is light touch, non-hierarchical and creative. This means I will support you in your work and help you to come up with new approaches as needed, to build your confidence and help you see things from new perspectives.

The focus of my supervision is always on improving outcomes for clients. But as well as this I am always happy to look at how things are going for you, how you would like to develop your practice, how you can look after yourself and maintain or build that all-important balance between your work and the rest of your life.

Do get in touch with me if you would like to talk to me about your supervision needs.


.....................................................................................................................................................................

Getting started is simple

Just phone me with any questions you may have: 07958 783596
or email: jo@johamcounselling.co.uk

Photos & videos

Fees

£120.00 per session

Additional information

Affordable therapy
My fees are

Individuals: £120 per 60-minute session.

Couples: £160 per 60-minute session.

This represents great value when you bear in mind most people need between 3 and 5 sessions to make real and lasting changes. You may need more or fewer sessions than this, depending on your circumstances.

The fee includes:

  • A therapy session of 60-65 minutes. People feel surprisingly comfortable and leave feeling better than before
  • Confidential pre- and post-session wellbeing and feedback measures
  • Personalised relaxation recordings which I will make for you during your sessions, so that you can continue to build your coping skills in-between appointments
  • Any follow-up information to help you make further progress

Peace of mind
All your details and personal information are treated in the strictest confidence, in line with the latest GDPR legislation.

I will never pass your details on to a third party.

.....................................................................................................................................................................

Getting started is simple

Just phone me with any questions you may have: 07958 783596
or email: jo@johamcounselling.co.uk

When I work

I can usually offer an appointment within a few days

Further information

Feedback from clients

"You gave us our lives back Jo. Saved his and freed mine. Thank you, thank you, thank you" - Trauma and suicidal thoughts, relationship problems, Sept 2016

"
Out of all the people I've been to see, you have been the most helpful" - Long-term anxiety and low confidence, 2014

"I wanted to thank you for your smiley, warm, kind and understanding presence" - Trauma/family issues, Oct 2016

"It's fun and it's calmful with Jo" - Girl, 9, trauma and family problems

"You have been fantastic for me, a life-saver, literally. I found it enormously helpful" - Severe depression and stress, 2014

"Her confidence and inner happiness have improved no end. Can't thank you enough" - Mum of 13-year-old girl, school and friendship problems

"You are worth your weight in gold, but the school budget won't run to that" - Headteacher, Primary School, 2015

.....................................................................................................................................................................

Where I can see you

The great news is I can see you in the comfort of your own home, wherever you are.
One silver lining of the pandemic is that the idea of having therapy online has become more normal now, and people are waking up to the convenience and comfort that it offers, as well as the removal of geographical boundaries to accessing the best therapists.

I frequently work with people in all parts of the UK on Zoom, and regularly help people as far afield as Ireland, Spain, Finland, Switzerland, France, Italy, Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic, Dubai, the USA, Canada and Nepal.

There really are no limits, so get in touch today to see how I can help you
.....................................................................................................................................................................

Getting started is simple

Just phone me with any questions you may have: 07958 783596
or email: jo@johamcounselling.co.uk

Joanna Ham is also registered with Counselling Directory.

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Key details

There's a flight of nine steps up to the front door. If this is a problem please let me know.

Additional languages

Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French

Social