Case studies & testimonials

Feedback from our parents & students

Case studies & testimonials

Feedback from my clients

Kind words from my families

Case Study: Emily's Story - Finding her way back to school

When Emily’s mum first got in touch, she was exhausted and worried.

Emily, 14, had been out of school for almost two terms. What started as “stomach aches” before school had slowly turned into panic attacks at the thought of school.

She’d stopped seeing her friends, stayed in her room most of the day, and couldn’t face any schoolwork.
By the time they came to me, they were losing hope.

Phase 1 of the programme, I began by helping Emily's parents reduce their psychological overwhelm which helped them get a good night's sleep and to think clearer. From there they felt more stable and in control. They continued to focus on building connection between them and Emily using my Connection-First Framework.

Phase 2 was all about understanding anxiety and EBSA for teens, so they could respond in the moment when Emily needed them.

Once Emily began to feel safe again, her confidence started to return and she started to re-engage with life.

Phase 3 is the re-integration process. We created a bespoke plan to get Emily back to school, and implemented it step-by-step together, working closely with her school.

Over the following weeks, Emily slowly began returning to school — first for short visits, then part-time, until she was attending several days a week again.

Her mum told me:

“It’s like a light’s come back on in her. We’re not walking on eggshells anymore — she just seems more herself. We all feel changed by this journey, for the better."

"Jo- I don't know what to say, except thank you. The programme has been life changing. Not only have things improved at school for Seb but my wife and I feel like better parents.

Our family feels more close, lighter and definitely more joyful. Thank you Jo.

Looking forward to keeping in touch."

- Paul Tyne

"Thanks so much Jo. I really felt lost when Jacob started struggling with EBSA. It has been so nice to have someone to talk to about it.

You’ve done wonders with him. He’s more confident now and and is finding school easier & lighter. I’m less worried too, which is such a relief.”

-Kelly

"Before working with Jo, the anxiety around school had completely taken over our home.

Evenings were just as hard as the mornings. My daughter would start saying that she felt sick, complaining of a tummy ache, worrying about the next day and I never really knew what to say.

Then the mornings would come, and it felt like a battle every day.

She would get upset and refuse to get ready. Then I would get upset too. I started to worry at that point if I was making it worse. I was so overwhelmed by it all. It felt like we were stuck in a cycle.

Working with Jo so far has definitely changed that.

Understanding what was really happening beneath the anxiety made such a huge difference. I am able to respond more calmly now and I feel more calm in myself.

Mornings do feel so much more manageable. There’s less panic, less pressure, and a lot more calm in our home.

My daughter has settled and she is opening up more, which has been such a relief. I'm sleeping better which also helps.

We’re not where we want to be yet, as we are half way through Jo's programme, but things finally feel like they’re moving in the right direction — and that sense of hope is something we didn’t have before."

-Sarah March

"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

"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

“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

"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

"I wasn't sleeping to be honest, I was so worried. I wasn't coping with mornings very well. I had no idea how to support my daughter.

Jo's approach is quite unique. She teaches you all about your mind and I realised how much pressure I was putting on myself.

Once I felt calmer, I was better at talking with Chloe and she actually opened up to me for the first time about school.

I highly recommend Jo, her programme was just what we needed."

-Lisa, Mother of 14-year-old Chloe

"Working with Jo has changed everything for me. She has such a calm, empathetic

approach. I really looked forward to our sessions.

She helped me talk to the school, which I was so anxious about. My daughter is back at school, on a reduced timetable. I'm so relieved.

I’ve learnt to not be so reactive to my daughter. I realised that less is more, and parenting is easier than I thought."

-Paula, mother of 12-year-old Maddy

Emma experienced a 75% reduced anxiety around school.

“I found working with Jo a pleasure from start to finish. Everything seemed to click.

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

"I feel so much more connected to my daughter, I enjoy her company so much more.

She is so much happier in school. Her attendance has increased from one to three days after working with Jo, and we're not finished yet.

Jo is so supportive. I feel really listened to and nourished by our sessions together."

-Juliet

"Thank you, Jo, for all you have done, your impact has been significant. You have a remarkable way with students—one that they respond to so positively. They feel seen, heard, and valued.

From your patient support of individual learners to your ability to lead by example, you’ve consistently gone above and beyond.."

Carol, Head Teacher

“I was struggling with self-confidence and managing family life. The psychology principles Jo teaches were easy to learn, and distil so much into very simple facts. It is a lot easier than all the meditation I was doing. I have embraced that I am much more of a person, more creative, more content. I am less stressed, and my negative thinking doesn’t drain me like it used to. Thank you Jo”

-Suzie

“I was going through a tough time because my eldest was going off the rails. I needed someone as a sounding board who was remote from the situation. Jo really helped me work through things. She gave me a better understanding of how the mind works and how to overcome negative thoughts. I feel more positive about the future now for my daughter and how to overcome difficult times. Jo has a very professional and calm manner. It’s been quite eye opening to be honest.”

-George

"I was quite anxious about Science and didn't want to go. Jo helped me see that I was thinking differently in Science compared to my other subjects. My mind would get so busy that I couldn't concentrate like I normally could.

Science wasn't actually the problem. I'd just built it up in my head as something quite scary.

She's very easy to understand because she uses a lot of metaphors. So Science doesn't feel so overwhelming anymore.

She's very talk to and very nice. If you're worried about school I'd talk to Jo definitely.

Something Jo helped me realise is that thoughts are like clouds and that they pass. You can paint them grey in your head or you can let them pass.

I felt really comfortable with Jo and glad I got to work with someone who knows what school and teachers are like.

-Young Person

“Jo is a positive spark and a wise teacher all in one. She has really empowered me. I felt so at ease with Jo and able to discuss anything freely. She has made me see who I really am, life changing really. Great working with you Jo-thanks for everything!” Jane

“Jo is the best!

She’s like Mary Poppins! A little bit magical.”

14 year-old Katie

“Congratulations Jo, you deserve the award. You have been so inspiring with our young people. They really respond to you in a magical way and the difference you have made will be felt for a very long time."

Chika Au, Director at CLA

"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