About Jo McAndrews
I later worked within a community-based child bereavement service, where I saw clearly that one of the most effective ways to support young people is to educate and support the adults around them.
Since then, my focus has been on training, supporting and facilitating parents and professionals who work with children. I help adults understand how resilience grows, and what can interrupt or undermine it. I have worked across the fields of social care, health and education, delivering training on trauma and secondary trauma, bereavement, foster care, recovery and resilience, and navigating difficult conversations.
Warm, engaging, welcoming, I hold many years of experience with a light and empathic touch
I originally trained and qualified as an integrative arts psychotherapist. That training gave me a strong foundation in understanding why people struggle, and what helps them thrive, and it has inspired my work ever since. I specialised in working with children and young people, and developed a deep respect for the resilience and complexity of early life.
I am blown away by the research from the field of neurobiology that makes it totally clear how much humans rely on relationships to grow and function every day and throughout life.
I have studied and am fascinated by polyvagal theory, attachment theory, deep ecology, trauma, recovery and resilience, imagination, non violent communication, play and mindfulness. I am delighted to see how they are all integrated into a whole pattern of love and respect for life.
Current neuroscientific research is confirming that the core of human thriving is our relationship with others, with ourselves and with the natural world. Of course, indigenous cultures have always known that but in modern western culture we have largely forgotten. I have developed a practical and usable model of resilience that acts as a map for the way forward
Being a ‘people person’ I struggled for a long time to really engage with the deep and obvious connection between human well-being and the health of the planet.
Some years ago I was jolted into awareness by the actions of Extinction Rebellion, realising that the climate crisis is devastatingly urgent. I asked myself how I could contribute to the system change that is so desperately needed. I saw parents stepping into action and being overwhelmed with the distress and urgency of their fear for their children. I saw others paralysed by the enormity of their helpless feelings. I realised that everything I have learned has led to this moment, that this is my contribution to system change; to support the care and knowledge that we need for collective resilience.
Our political, social, education, economic systems are simply not able to meet the needs of planet and people. Inequality and injustice is causing increasing suffering. Climate change and social crises are making it urgent that we rethink how we live and how we face adversity together with resourcefulness and creativity.
There is so much information available now that shows that childhood is the time to build deep and lasting resilience in our whole culture. I am dedicated to sharing this information in warm, compassionate and inspiring ways.
I offer a variety of training courses, talks, and trainings, as well as 1-1 sessions for both parents and carers and professionals. Use the buttons below to find out more about these offerings.
Get in touch
If you would like to speak with Jo about any of her offerings, courses, talks, or trainings, please do use this form to get in touch.