Hi, I’m Dr Jo Coombs
Welcome to my practice, Join Psychology which offers a number of different services, including therapy, neurodevelopmental assessments, consultation, training and supervision. I set-up Join Psychology so that I could help people by offering consistent, high-quality and effective services which are genuinely tailored to each person. I have created a warm, safe space to understand your needs so we can work collaboratively together to discover your strengths and make meaningful changes.
I graduated from university with a First Class Honours degree in Psychology and went on to complete a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, initially specialising in systemic approaches with children, adolescents and families. Since then, I've worked extensively in the fields of neurodivergence, mental health and trauma.
After completing my doctorate, further systemic training and many years working in the NHS, I decided in 2017 to move into private practice. Doing this has enabled me to offer far more flexibility in the care offered to my clients. I've also been able to focus on areas of special interest including attachment and trauma-informed psychological therapies, particularly with neurodivergent people.
Throughout my career, I've had a strong interest in understanding how our earliest experiences and relationships shape our lives, wellbeing and relationships over time. I have specialised in attachment, trauma and systemically-focused approaches to understanding and working with people’s difficulties.
I'm passionate about advancing our understanding of trauma and sharing this knowledge with others which is why I'm also a Committee Member of the Crisis, Disaster and Trauma (CDT) Psychology Section of the British Psychological Society (BPS). We are a group of professionals who work together to collate and share the latest information and developments in the fields of trauma, disaster and crisis. I've drawn on my combined interests in trauma and neurodivergence to coordinate and host two conferences relating to trauma and neurodivergence in children, young people and adults.
I am a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and a Registered Practitioner (Clinical) Psychologist with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). My qualifications and specialist training include:
Psychology & Clinical Psychology:
- BSc (Hons) Psychology.
- PsychD Clinical Psychology.
Psychological Therapies:
- Graduate and Post-Graduate Certificates in Systemic Practice (Families and Couples).
- Attachment Narrative Therapy (ANT).
- Integrative Restoration and Yoga Nidra.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
- Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT).
- Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
- Dynamic Maturational Model of Attachment and Adaptation (DMM).
Neurodivergence:
- Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO).
- Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Version Two (ADOS-2).
- Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults (DIVA).
Expert Witness Services:
- The Cardiff University Bond Solon (CUBS) Expert Witness Family Certificate (2022), including Bond Solon training courses in Family Law and Procedure, Excellence in Report Writing, Courtroom Skills and Cross Examination.
Healthcare Management:
- Level 5 Qualification in Leadership from the Institute of Healthcare Management.
Based in Berkshire, I offer therapy in-person and online for individuals, couples and families. Alongside my therapeutic work, I also specialise in working with neurodivergent people, including neurodevelopmental assessments of autism (and ADHD), post-diagnostic/discovery support, psychological and trauma-focused therapies.
Psychological Therapy
I work therapeutically with individuals, couples and families either online or from my comfortable, spacious and welcoming practice in Berkshire.
Autism and ADHD Assessments
I also specialise in neurodevelopmental assessments of autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) for people aged 16+.
Training and Consultation
I work with professionals, teams and services who might be in need of training in relation to mental health, trauma, psychological therapies and neurodiversity. High-quality training packages that are individually tailored to your needs can be arranged for small groups and larger audiences.
Clinical Supervision
I offer a range of services for psychologists and other health professionals, such as clinical supervision and consultation for teams and services. I have many years experience of supervising psychologists and other health care professionals.
