About me
Hi there, I'm Jo, and I specialise in helping families navigate school anxiety, school avoidance and emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA).
Does this sound familiar?
• Your teen is anxious about school or struggling to attend
• Mornings feel stressful, emotional or impossible
• You're caught between supporting your child and pressure from school
• You've run out of ideas and don't know what to do next
If so, you're not alone.
I help parents of teens experiencing school anxiety, EBSA and school avoidance reduce overwhelm, feel confident supporting their child, and create a successful path back into education.
Using my School Reconnection Framework, developed through years of experience as a teacher, pastoral lead and working with families experiencing school anxiety, I'll help you understand what's really driving your teen's difficulties, strengthen your relationship, work more effectively with school, and create a realistic plan forward.
So instead of second-guessing yourself and wondering what to do next, you'll have a clearer understanding of what's going on and the confidence to support your teen moving forward.
Training, qualifications & experience
My journey began as a teacher and senior pastoral leader, where I spent over 15 years supporting young people's mental health and wellbeing.
During that time, I saw first-hand how many families were struggling with school anxiety and school avoidance, often feeling overwhelmed, isolated and unsure where to turn for help.
In response, I developed my School Reconnection Framework: a practical and psychologically informed approach designed to help parents better understand their child, reduce anxiety and create a pathway back into education.
I later left teaching to open my private practice, where I now support families both in person in Cambridge and online across the UK and internationally.
Over the years, I have supported hundreds of young people and families experiencing school anxiety, school avoidance and emotional wellbeing difficulties.
I hold a Master's degree in Psychology, am an ICF-accredited coach, and have specialist training in ADHD, autism and neurodiversity. Combined with my experience in schools and private practice, this has given me a strong understanding of the ways executive functioning difficulties, masking, sensory sensitivities and emotional overwhelm can impact a young person's experience of school.
I also write for a variety of media platforms, and speak locally and internationally on topics relating to school anxiety, school avoidance and young people's mental wellbeing.
The School Anxiety & EBSA Support Programme: A Clear Path Forward
Together, we will:
• Reduce the overwhelm and uncertainty that comes with school anxiety, so you can stop second-guessing yourself and feel confident in how to support your teen.
• Understand what's really driving your teen's difficulties, helping you respond in ways that strengthen your relationship rather than create more conflict.
• Help your teen feel more confident, less anxious and more able to engage with life again.
• Create a realistic and sustainable pathway back into education that works for your child and your family.
If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed or unsure what to do next, I'd love to help. Please visit my website to learn more about how we can work together.
Areas of coaching I deal with
Photos & videos
Fees
£250.00 - £2,200.00
Free initial online session
Additional information
If this feels like the support you’ve been looking for, book a free consultation call where we can get to know each other better.
This call is a safe, judgment-free space where we can discuss how I can help you. There’s no obligation - just an opportunity to focus on you and your teen.
I really look forward to meeting you.
When I work
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If you can't find a suitable day or time, just email me and we'll find something that works.
Further information
Testimonials
"Mornings feel more manageable"
"Before this, every morning felt like a battle. The anxiety around school had taken over. Understanding what was really happening made such a difference. Jo taught us to respond much more calmly and now the mornings feel so much more manageable." - Sarah March
"Clear guidance & support"
"I was constantly worrying about my son and whether we were making things worse with his anxiety and school avoidance. Having clear guidance and support from Jo made us feel far less alone. It's been really helpful and eye-opening too." - Fiona Chaplin
"Support For Our Neurodivergent Teen"
"Our neurodivergent daughter’s anxiety around school had escalated into EBSA and we felt really stuck. I'm so grateful for finding Jo when we did. Thank you for everything Jo." - Helen Archer
"She's back 5 days a week"
"Sophie had just begun to struggle with school for about a term. I'm so glad we found Jo when we did. After Easter things began to change slowly, and by the summer she was back at school. She did 3 days a week to start and she is back 5 days now. I feel so relieved. Sophie nicknamed Jo as Mary Poppins and she really is." -Marianne, Mother of 12-year-old Sophie
"75% reduced anxiety around school"
“I found working with Jo to be really amazing, life changing actually. My son had been struggling with anxiety for a while and after the program it felt like I got my son back. Jo has a gift with teenagers, my son opened up to her really quickly." -Emma, Mother of 15-year-old Connor
"Working with Jo changed our lives." Helen, Mother of 16 year old Robin
"Jo is the best! She’s like Mary Poppins! A little bit magical.” 14 year old Katie
"Just happiness...a weight off my shoulders.
I am kinder. I have something better in my mind, than just thoughts. I feel relieved, relaxed and can go away and say that I did this and it really helped me get better." -Jake, 15-year-old
“Without Jo’s help I would have probably needed some sort of medication from my GP. My son has ADHD and I just wasn't coping well at all, especially on days when he couldn't go into school. I wasn't sleeping, I was constantly overthinking things. I was absolutely exhausted. I feel more me again, more connected, more alive. She taught me what ADHD actually is and what is going on in my son's head and just understanding that completely changed how I reacted. It's been really eye opening. I can’t thank her enough for what she has taught me. Thank you for your kindness and patience Jo.” - Heather
"I worked with Jo after having had a year off work due to being diagnosed with ME and because I was still struggling to cope after the death of my mother. I felt that whilst I was getting physically better the mental side of things had some catching up to do. I had lost all of my self-confidence and I was struggling with keeping my family and work life together. I could see that things were effecting the children and my husband which was just awful.
Working with Jo has been an absolute pleasure from the word go. Jo has helped me to see things differently and to approach my life in a totally new way: wow has it been revolutionary. I now feel empowered and content, my anxiety has gone. My ME symptoms have also got better because I'm not afraid of them like I used to be. The most important lesson I have learnt though is that whatever happens in life, I will be ok.
I've been able to communicate better with my husband and children and feel much closer to them. The kids are much much happier.
Jo has not only solved the issues that I went through the door with but she has helped me to find a way to know that I will be able to solve my own problems going forward. Jo has exceeded my expectations in every respect and friends and family keep telling me how different I am and how happy I seem.
I cannot thank Jo enough for everything that she has helped me with and I would thoroughly recommend Jo to anyone. I feel that whatever your feelings or your problems, Jo can and will have a positive effect. Thank you so much!”
-Lottie
