Coaching for parents and carers

Sometimes life gets overwhelming and stress makes it difficult to see a way forward. We just need someone to sit with us and relieve some of the burden. Someone who will listen, empathise and help us work out what to do next, what is most important.

Would you love some support with…..

• parenting support in tough times

• children's anxiety

• facing climate and ecological crisis

• children's needs when parents separate

• loss and grief     

• new partners/step parenting

• repairing relationships with adult children

• understanding and responding to troubled behaviour

• new and expectant parents

• parenting teens

• supporting children with school

• foster care

• parenting without punishment

• choosing home education

• neurodiversity in the family

How I work

My approach is warm, empathic, compassionate and non-judgmental. I have worked with children and families, schools and other professionals for 25 years. I offer friendly accompaniment in life's difficult times, listening deeply and supporting you to think and feel through the issues you are facing. Underpinning my work is my knowledge and experience of arts psychotherapy, ceremony, trauma, interpersonal neurobiology, mindfulness and connected parenting.

How we might work together

We will start with empathic listening, exploring the situation and working out where to start. The experience of being deeply heard and accepted in itself empowers people to find the right way forward for them. I may also suggest things to try, powerful parenting strategies that strengthen relationships in the family. I will share information about the latest research in child development and family functioning. I can help you to develop your own support system, using creativity, resilience practices and community building. We may identify where your own childhood experience impacts your relationships with the children that you love, and how to find ways to do it differently for your family.

Practicalities

I work flexibly. Some people meet with me at the same time each week, some come for a one off session or occasionally when needed. We will find a time that works for us both. I work online on Zoom or phone.

We can start with a free 15 minute conversation to see if I am the right person to support you. After that I charge £70 for an hour session. Sometimes I am able to offer reductions for those who cannot afford it otherwise. Sometimes people pay me more to support others in having the same opportunity.

Would it be great to have someone to talk to about your parenting/caring challenges?

Contact me to chat about how I can support you

Here are some words from one of the parents I have supported

When I first started working with Jo, my relationship with my teenage son felt toxic and constantly on edge. We were stuck in a cycle of conflict and disconnection, and I didn't know how to break it.

From the very beginning, Jo listened without judgment. She empathised deeply and gently encouraged me to reflect on my own approach and how it might be affecting my son. Through our work together, I began to see things more clearly—not just his behaviour, but mine too.

Jo helped me build my confidence to set healthy, firm boundaries while also learning when to step back and give my son the space he needed to grow. Her guidance helped me shift from trying to control to being more curious and open.

It’s not a magic pill—you have to be willing to do the work, implement the strategies, and stay consistent. But if you do, you will see and feel the changes.  The change in our relationship has been incredible. We’ve rebuilt our connection—he talks to me again, we laugh together, and I feel like I understand him in a way I hadn’t before. I’m so grateful a friend recommended Jo to me.  

Emma, York