But you might be wondering: Is telehealth right for me? Or should I stick with in-person therapy?

Here’s a guide to help you figure out what works best for your lifestyle, comfort level, and personal preferences.

What Is Telehealth Therapy?

Telehealth therapy (also called telephone counselling) is simply counselling done over the phone. You and your therapist meet at the same time you normally would—just from different locations.

Many clients love it because it allows them to access care without having to leave home or take extra time off work.

Pros of Telehealth Therapy

1. Convenience
No commute. No waiting rooms. Just answer the phone and go.
Perfect if you’re juggling a busy schedule, parenting duties, or work meetings.

2. Comfort
Some people feel more relaxed opening up from the comfort of their home.
You can wear cozy clothes, light a candle, or bring your dog—whatever helps you feel at ease.

3. Access
If you live in a rural area or have transportation limitations, telehealth can make therapy more accessible.

4. Continuity
Feeling a little under the weather? Travelling? Stuck at home during a snowstorm? You don’t have to miss your session.

When In-Person Might Be a Better Fit

1. You feel more connected in person
Some people just like being in the same room as their therapist. That’s valid! If the physical presence feels grounding, in-person might be the better choice.

2. You want fewer distractions
If you’re easily distracted at home—or if your space doesn’t feel private—coming into an office can create a clearer boundary for you to focus.

3. You’re dealing with tech issues
If internet problems or phone signal stress you out more than they help, in-person sessions may feel more seamless.

4. You’re working through something that feels really intense
While telehealth is effective for most concerns, some people feel more supported and contained when they’re physically with their therapist for deep or emotionally heavy work.

Still Not Sure? Try Both.

You don’t have to commit to one forever. Some clients do a mix of both, depending on the week. Others start with telehealth and switch to in-person later—or vice versa.

The best part? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. You get to choose what feels right for you.

Ready to Start?

If you’re thinking about beginning therapy—or wondering whether to switch formats—let’s talk about it. I offer both in-person and telehealth sessions and am happy to help you figure out what fits your needs best.

Contact me here

Remember: Whether we’re sitting across from each other or connecting through a phone, the goal is the same—support, healing, and growth. You’re not alone on the journey.

The post Therapy via Telehealth: Is It Right for You? appeared first on Friendly Therapist | Jo Thomas Counselling.

First things first, you’ll want to schedule your appointment. This can be done by email, message or over the phone. Once you have your appointment set, it’s important to find a quiet and private space where you can talk openly and comfortably without any distractions.

When the time comes for your appointment, I will call you at the designated time. Make sure you have a reliable phone connection and that you’re in a comfortable position to talk. I will greet you and ask how you’re doing before diving into the session.

During the session, I will ask you questions to get to know you better and understand what you’re going through. I may also provide insights, tools, and strategies to help you navigate your thoughts and emotions. Remember, therapy is a collaborative process, so feel free to ask questions, share your concerns, and be open to feedback.

As the session comes to a close, I will summarise the key points discussed and check in with how you are feeling as the session comes to an end. I don’t provide any homework or tasks to do between sessions but I may suggest meditation techniques, or text/email information to you about things we have discussed if you feel it would be helpful.

After the call ends, take some time to reflect on the session and how you’re feeling. It’s normal to have mixed emotions after therapy, so be gentle with yourself and practice self-care. Remember, therapy is a journey, and it’s okay to take things one step at a time.

Overall, your telephone therapy appointment should feel like a safe and supportive space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Trust the process and be open to the healing journey ahead.

The post What to Expect During Your Therapy Appointment  appeared first on Friendly Therapist | Jo Thomas Counselling.

The post Commonly Asked Questions for a First Counselling Appointment  appeared first on Friendly Therapist | Jo Thomas Counselling.

My name is Jo Thomas and I qualified as a counsellor in 2020.

I’m a friendly, supportive person in life and I aim to carry this on through into my counselling work. 

What is Person-Centred Therapy? 
Person-Centred Therapy (PCT) is my chosen approach to counselling, as it helps me to understand how people’s feelings influence themselves and it lets me work with clients in a way that promotes their personal growth.  

This type of counselling is known as a talking therapy, where the client can explore how they perceive themselves rather than the counsellor interpreting what they see.   

How do I work? 
During sessions, I actively listen to my clients and use my skills and learned theory to help them explore their feelings to gain a wider understanding of themselves.  

10 sessions are usually enough to help a client with their issues, however sometimes it can be done in less or more, or can be used for support on a long-term basis. I work with clients by offering as many sessions as they want, usually once a week but I can also work with you fortnightly if required.   

What I do with clients 
I believe that everyone can create positive changes within themselves and that it’s not for me to make suggestions or give advice. Focusing on your experience of your life is the best way for me to help you understand yourself and develop your self-awareness.   

I also believe that my clients should remain in control of their sessions as it is their feelings that I am helping them explore so I always work at their pace. In other words, it’s OK if you don’t want to talk about something.  

Meditation is included in my therapy and it is available for clients if they want it. I’ve had great success in the past with struggling with anxiety and lack of sleep. The meditations are used as tools outside of counselling to make sure we get the most out of each session.  

What is the outcome of therapy? 
Person-Centred Therapy guides individuals toward becoming the best versions of themselves. This process is deeply personal and it looks different for everyone. The true spirit of this lies in personal growth, fulfilment, and being authentic to yourself. It’s about understanding your values, strengths, and passions, and using this self-awareness to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and resilience. 

The post How do I work as a Counsellor?  appeared first on Friendly Therapist | Jo Thomas Counselling.

What is it?

It is a visual guide which helps to show how emotions are linked to each other and how they can lead onto others. For example, you are feeling scared of a particular situation because it is making you feel worried and anxious. Processing what your worries are will help to relieve the fear you have.

How does it work?

The first step with using the Wheel of Emotions is to identify the emotion closest to how you are feeling. The emotions vary with intensity starting with the centre ones being the most extreme going outwards to the mildest forms.

When you have identified an emotion, you can try to work out what’s triggering it. Sometimes this is quite obvious but other times it can be very complicated. You may notice that some emotions you identify can lead on to other emotions. For example, you could feel supported by a close friend which makes you feel relieved and peaceful, however this also triggers a trust issue making you feel on edge and nervous.

Once you begin to identify your emotions and triggers, you can use this awareness to help you find ways to cope and work through them.

The post How to Understand Your Feelings? appeared first on Friendly Therapist | Jo Thomas Counselling.

My style of counselling, which is called Person Centered Therapy, will help you understand your issues by increasing your self-awareness. 

It worries me when people see it as a last resort, or that they’re not struggling enough to go for therapy. 

Getting therapy isn’t being weak, in fact it’s the complete opposite! It’s taking the first step to regaining control of your life. It’s empowering and helps build confidence. 

Everybody has problems but the way we deal with them is very different. 

One healthy way is accessing therapy like counselling and meditation. You can use these as tools to help work through your problems and start moving forward. 

How do I know if counselling will work? 

If you relate to any of the below, then it’s a good sign that counselling will help you. 

1. You always feel low. 

You might be OK carrying on day-to-day and feel like you’re plodding along but you know that something keeps bringing your mood down and you can’t shake it off. 

2. You become your own worst enemy. 

You often end up doing something mindless to avoid thinking about tasks, people, or memories? Like drinking too much, binging TV or always on social media. 

3. You don’t feel like you are yourself. 

Do you feel like a different person around your friends? That disconnect, which feels like having different masks for people, is a sign that you may not feel in-touch with yourself. Therapy could help you find and express your true self. 

4. You struggle with relationships. 

Do you keep friends or family at a distance? This can relate to trust and low self-esteem stopping you from being able to connect with people. 

5. You overthink and analyse everything. 

Are you constantly worrying about the future, or thinking about the past? This can lead to anxiety and increased stress levels. 

At the end of the day, seeking therapy is a way to become a better version of yourself. I honestly believe that we all have it in us to become the best we can be, and Person Centered Therapy is a good way of achieving this.  

The post When is Counselling what I need?  appeared first on Friendly Therapist | Jo Thomas Counselling.

Friends and family can be a great support because they want to make you feel that everything’s going to be OK. But sometimes you want someone to hear you out because you have feelings that are weighing you down, and being listened to is the support you’re needing. 

The first thing you’ll notice when talking to a counsellor is the safe space that is created for you to share your problems. You’ll feel comfortable to talk about your issues at your own pace without any interruptions, advice or judgement. It’s a very freeing feeling and a lot of my clients say they feel like a weight has been lifted just by being able to talk. 

How does Counselling work?

Person-Centred Therapy is the approach I follow for counselling. I understand how personal issues can affect you, whether current or in the past, so I work with my clients in a way that helps them to understand why they feel the way they do. 

I help my clients to focus on feelings that are coming up for them so we can explore them deeper.  They always have complete control of what’s being discussed, as it is their feelings that I am helping them explore. So, I always work at their pace which means it’s OK if you don’t want to talk about something. 

I believe that everyone can create positive changes within themselves. And focusing on how your experiences in life have made you feel is the best way for me to help you do this. My style of counselling will grow your self-awareness, which in turn will enable you to understand yourself in a way that will not only solve your issues, but it will stop you from feeling that way again.  

The post What’s the Point in Counselling?  appeared first on Friendly Therapist | Jo Thomas Counselling.