Adult Clinical Psychologist Banstead | Dr Jo-Ann Valentine
Psychological Therapy for Adults
A Space to Unpack, Understand, and Move Forward
Therapy is more than just 'talking about problems'. It is a confidential, supportive space designed to help you explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences with a trained professional. Whether you feel stuck in old patterns, overwhelmed by life’s transitions, or are navigating the emotional weight of a chronic illness, we work together to find a way through.
Please note: To ensure I can provide the highest quality of care and avoid conflicts with local NHS services, I welcome adult referrals from across the UK. However, I am unable to accept private referrals from parents whose children are currently accessing NHS mental health support from Sutton CAMHS.
How I Work
The Integrative Approach
I don't believe in a 'one-size-fits-all' approach. I draw on a range of evidence-based models, including CBT, DBT, ACT, and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT). This allows us to tailor our work to your specific needs, whether we are focusing on practical problem-solving or processing deeper emotional patterns
The Systemic Lens
My work is informed by Systemic Thinking and specialist training in Couples Therapy. This means we don't just look at your symptoms in isolation; we explore the wider context of your relationships, family history, and life systems to understand how they influence your current well-being
Neuro-Affirmative Practice
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Focus on neuro-affirming practice for those with ADHD and Autism, not 'fixing'
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Safe space to explore without 'masking'
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Adapting therapeutic tools to fit your unique processing style
Areas of Support
Emotional Well-being and Mood
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Depression and low mood
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Low self-esteem
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Emotional regulation difficulties
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Insomnia
Anxiety, Worry, Stress and Trauma
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Generalised anxiety
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Social anxiety
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Panic
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OCD
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Health anxiety
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Phobias
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Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD)
Physical Health and Long‑Term Conditions
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Adjusting to Chronic Illness
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Emotional impact of long-term health
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Health-related anxiety
A Path Forward: Sarah’s Story
Sarah, 42, came to therapy feeling 'constantly on edge'. She was balancing a demanding career with a recent diagnosis of chronic pain and felt her world was rapidly shrinking. While the pain was difficult to manage, she found the emotional impact even heavier. She was struggling to keep up with life as a Mum and life as her old professional self, feeling as though she was failing at both. Pushing herself through it all only made her pain worse, leading to more frequent flare-ups that would leave her incapacitated. She lived with a constant, quiet worry about what the future might hold.
Through a blend of ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and CBT, we didn’t just target her anxiety as a symptom to be "fixed." Instead, we took time to understand the impact of her chronic pain and how it influenced her thoughts, feelings, and attempts to adapt. We noticed how her preoccupation with surviving the pain stopped her from stepping back and engaging with the bigger picture. Specifically, the qualities she actually wanted to bring to her roles as a Mum and a professional. We were able to find ways for her to reconnect with what mattered most to her, learning to manage the pain as a passenger rather than the driver of her life.
Over time, Sarah moved beyond just 'coping.' She developed a toolkit of practical strategies to manage her mental load and began to navigate her life with a renewed sense of clarity, resilience, and honesty.
This vignette is a composite clinical example used to illustrate the therapeutic process while protecting client confidentiality.
As your therapist, I am committed to providing a safe, strictly confidential, and non-judgmental space. I believe in the power of an integrative, holistic, and honest therapeutic relationship to foster genuine growth and resilience.