Joanne Yeardsley

Joanne Yeardsley PGDip, BSc (Honours), DipHE, CertHE, MBABCP

Empowering Lives, Restoring Balance: Joanne Yeardsley’s Journey in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy

Joanne Yeardsley is a compassionate and dedicated professional in the field of mental health and addiction counselling. With over 15 years of experience in mental health, she has become a trusted expert in the realm of Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy. Joanne is a member of the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists (BABCP) and is a practicing qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT). Joanne’s journey into the world of mental health began with a profound desire to make a difference in the lives of individuals and families struggling with various mental health conditions with an aim to reduce symptoms such as anxiety and depression.

Professional Background:

Joanne’s extensive background in addiction counselling spans over a decade, during which she has served as a key worker at The Drug Advice Service & Helpline and an Addictions Professional at Motiv8 Addiction Services. Her  tenure equips her with invaluable insights into the complexities of addiction and honed her skills in providing holistic, evidence-based interventions. During this time, she has developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals on their path to recovery. She also served as a Young Person’s Specialist supporting young people in practical ways to improve the way they feel and alter their thinking patterns as part of their healing journey.

Education and Qualifications: 

Joanne’s academic prowess is underscored by her qualifications, including a Psychology Degree from the Open University. She furthered her expertise by achieving a Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy, demonstrating her commitment to staying at the forefront of therapeutic techniques. In addition to her specialization in CBT, Joanne holds diplomas in Addictions and Eating Disorders, Obesity, Anorexia Nervosa, and EDNOS. Her diverse educational background equips her with a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of mental health issues, allowing her to tailor her approach to meet the unique needs of each client.

Passion for Family-Centred Therapy:

One of Joanne’s distinctive strengths lies in her passion for working with families, encompassing both parents and young people. She recognizes the pivotal role that families play in the recovery process and employs a compassionate and inclusive approach to address familial dynamics. By fostering open communication and understanding within families, Joanne aims to create a supportive environment conducive to healing and growth.

Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy Consulting:

Joanne Yeardsley’s Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy consulting business stands as a testament to her unwavering dedication to empowering individuals and families. Her practice embodies a client-centred ethos, where empathy, respect, and collaboration form the foundation of every therapeutic interaction. Through evidence-based interventions, Joanne assists her clients in identifying and modifying negative thought patterns and behaviours, paving the way for transformative change.

Beyond Therapy:

Beyond her professional endeavours, Joanne is an advocate for mental health awareness and destigmatisation. She actively engages in community initiatives, workshops, and educational programs to spread awareness about mental health issues and promote overall well-being.

In essence, Joanne Yeardsley’s story is one of compassion, expertise, and commitment. Her holistic approach to Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy, coupled with her profound understanding of addiction and mental health challenges, positions her as a beacon of hope for individuals and families seeking support. Through her consulting business, Joanne continues to make a profound impact, guiding her clients toward a future defined by resilience, healing, and lasting happiness.

CBT is a suitable treatment for the following disorders:

  • ADHD
  • Body Dysmorphic Disorder
  • Chronic Pain Management
  • Depression
  • Generalised Anxiety Disorder
  • Health Anxiety Disorder
  • OCD
  • Panic Disorder
  • PTSD
  • Social Anxiety Disorder
  • Specific Phobia
CBT Counselling

❝ I suffered from panic attacks, which would include a racing heart, palpitations an excruciating pain in my left arm and a feeling as though I was about to pass out every time I was in a crowded place and sometimes at home with my children. Also, sometimes I would wake up in the middle of the night feeling as though I was choking. Working with Jo meant I learnt how to change my feelings and look at my thinking which changed my behaviour in everyday life. I can now go shopping alone without any feelings or fear or anxiety. I do not have panic attacks; I no longer wake in the middle of the night, and I can take my children to fun crowded places. Working with Jo has changed my life. As a family we will be forever thankful.❞

❝ My OCD was so bad I was unable to perform at my best in work. I was re-checking emails several times an hour before I could reply to them, unable to spend time in the kitchen if other staff members were there and unable to communicate with my colleagues when I wanted to. I was also unable to leave the house without taking a picture of the doors and windows so I could check throughout the day that they were all locked, and all appliances checked several times.❞
❝ During the evening, I was never able to touch uncooked meat and had to tidy the children’s room immediately all the time. This started to negatively impact on my children’s free play and my husband’s hours of work. Working through the OCD programme with Jo meant I was able to see the connections between feelings of distress and the objects, situations or thoughts that produce the distress. This meant I no longer had to keep checking things, my children were able to freely play without my interference, my concentration and communication at work improved and my husband was able to return to his normal hours of work. I cannot be grateful enough to Jo for helping me and my family.❞
❝ I didn’t know that I was suffering from health anxiety until I worked with Jo. Every time I noticed a different feeling or sensation in my body it felt as though it was something life threatening. Even though I visited the GP at least 6 times a month, had many many tests and examinations, all of which came back clear I continued to feel as though they had missed something. Jo helped me to take on different ways of thinking and behaving when I experienced sensations. I can now cope with any feeling or sensation or pain in my body without considering it to be a serious health concern, because I now have the skills. This has meant I am able to travel with my family again and spend so much more time with my grandchildren. I don’t know how I can thank Jo enough for giving me back my life.❞

❝ I saw Jo because I was having flashbacks and intrusive thoughts about a trauma I experienced over 10 years ago. Jo assessed me and we both agreed that I had PTSD. During the very structured sessions I noticed how my life changed. People around me commented on how different I was and how I had returned to my old self. I am so grateful for Jo and the sessions I had. I can now live my life with the terrors of the past behind me.❞

❝ Jo was so supportive and so knowledgeable I felt so lucky to have had her as my CBT therapist. I had suffered with depression my entire life and I had CBT previously to work with Jo, but it did not seem to work at the time. I am now able to use the skills I learnt with Jo in everyday life whenever I need them. Working with Jo has been a life changing experience.❞

❝ I have suffered with anxiety for many years until working with Jo. I learnt how to manage my anxiety by changing the things I do and learning new skills. I no longer suffer from crippling anxiety as I know what’s happening to me and what I need to do to manage it. My anxiety doesn’t rule me anymore, I can control it. I feel like a different person as I use the tools I learnt while working with Jo, I will be forever grateful to her.❞

❝ Jo started working with our family when my ex-husband moved out and we had split up. Our then 10-year-old son struggled to cope with having to spend time apart from me which led to anxiety, withdrawal and sleep issues. It did not take many sessions for Jo to help our son to overcome these issues and return to his happy, confident life.❞

❝ When Jo worked with our family things improved quickly since Jo involved us as parents in every step of the way while maintaining our children’s confidentiality, this helped to achieve lasting change for all of us.❞

❝ Jo worked with our eldest son who started having difficulties with serious bouts of anxiety. Her regular support resulted in our son’s ability to manage his anxiety which meant he has been able to achieve the things he wanted to and is a happy smiling son of ours again. Some education with us as parents while trying to support him tremendously helped us not to cause more problems for him unintentionally.❞

❝ Jo made us all feel that she genuinely cared about us as individuals and as a family while she worked through the family issues we were experiencing.❞

❝ Jo’s non-judgemental, honest, frank at times approach, helped us to get to the bottom of what we sometimes did not see nor realised was happening.❞

❝ The work Jo completed with us resulted in her gaining trust and earning the respect for her expertise from all our family members.❞

❝ Our children have grown into confident young people with an ability to manage their feelings and who were not broken by the painful process of our separation thanks to the guidance, education and support of Jo.❞

❝ I suffered from panic attacks, which would include a racing heart, palpitations an excruciating pain in my left arm and a feeling as though I was about to pass out every time I was in a crowded place and sometimes at home with my children. Also, sometimes I would wake up in the middle of the night feeling as though I was choking. Working with Jo meant I learnt how to change my feelings and look at my thinking which changed my behaviour in everyday life. I can now go shopping alone without any feelings or fear or anxiety. I do not have panic attacks; I no longer wake in the middle of the night, and I can take my children to fun crowded places. Working with Jo has changed my life. As a family we will be forever thankful.❞
❝ My OCD was so bad I was unable to perform at my best in work. I was re-checking emails several times an hour before I could reply to them, unable to spend time in the kitchen if other staff members were there and unable to communicate with my colleagues when I wanted to. I was also unable to leave the house without taking a picture of the doors and windows so I could check throughout the day that they were all locked, and all appliances checked several times.❞
❝ During the evening, I was never able to touch uncooked meat and had to tidy the children’s room immediately all the time. This started to negatively impact on my children’s free play and my husband’s hours of work. Working through the OCD programme with Jo meant I was able to see the connections between feelings of distress and the objects, situations or thoughts that produce the distress. This meant I no longer had to keep checking things, my children were able to freely play without my interference, my concentration and communication at work improved and my husband was able to return to his normal hours of work. I cannot be grateful enough to Jo for helping me and my family.❞
❝ I didn’t know that I was suffering from health anxiety until I worked with Jo. Every time I noticed a different feeling or sensation in my body it felt as though it was something life threatening. Even though I visited the GP at least 6 times a month, had many many tests and examinations, all of which came back clear I continued to feel as though they had missed something. Jo helped me to take on different ways of thinking and behaving when I experienced sensations. I can now cope with any feeling or sensation or pain in my body without considering it to be a serious health concern, because I now have the skills. This has meant I am able to travel with my family again and spend so much more time with my grandchildren. I don’t know how I can thank Jo enough for giving me back my life.❞