Jo Lockart.

Jo is a relational, feminist and trauma-responsive psychotherapist who is deeply committed to her work with womxn 16 yrs and over. Jo identifies as a cis straight able-bodied woman who lives, works and plays in Naarm (Melbourne). She offers therapy sessions Australia-wide via telehealth and in person in Essendon, Victoria.

Jo has more than 15 years experience working mainly with people impacted by childhood and interpersonal trauma, including sexual assault, family violence and institutional harm. Her entry into social work came from volunteering with refugees and asylum seekers and resulted in a desire to marry her passion for making a difference with theory and knowledge. After completing her Masters in Social Work she's worked in crisis intervention, State and National government funded mental health services, tutoring and field supervision for Latrobe University and providing counselling and support for residents at a women's family violence refuge. Jo's passion for social work, in the context of psychotherapy, brings a depth of inclusivity, systemic and social justice awareness and how the 'personal is political'.

Jo's therapy style is integrative, which means she draws on a range of psychological trainings like: 3 Phased Trauma Informed Care; person-centred psychotherapy approach, attachment theory, neurobiology of trauma, inner-child parts work, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT); Motivational Interviewing; feminist principles and FLASH technique (trauma memory resolution). She tends to work with her clients more long term and they describe her as welcoming, non-judgemental and deeply present - valuing the space they have co-created for honest reflection and personal growth.

Jo works relationally, meaning therapy is understood as something we create collaboratively together. She understands that relational trauma requires relational healing and how the therapeutic relationship is THE most important part of your work together. Jo understands how abuse of power, on a personal or systemic level can be deeply traumatising and she guarantees she will show up as her authentic self. Jo brings immense compassion to her practice and doesn't see people as 'problems to be fixed', rather as people whose protective responses to horrible life situations have kept them going and now might be the time to find new and softer ways of being in the world.

Jo is trauma-responsive, which means she doesn't only 'talk the talk' of being trauma informed but she 'walks the walk' in prioritising emotional and nervous-system safety in each and every session. She understands how interpersonal trauma shapes relationships, self identity, belief systems and mind/body connection. Jo gently supports her clients in ways that avoid pathologising (or re-traumatising) what are normal responses to abnormal situations.

Jo ensures a therapy space for deep listening, mutual curiosity and growth, and is deeply committed to working in ways that are empowering and culturally sensitive.