Jo McAndrews
Warm, engaging, welcoming, Jo holds many years experience with a light and empathic touch
I trained and qualified as a psychotherapist many years ago when I thought that I was broken and needed fixing and so did everybody else. It was a fantastic foundation to understanding what makes people struggle and thrive and has inspired my work ever since.
I went on to work in a community based child bereavement organisation where I realised that the best way to help young people is to educate and support the adults around them. Since then I have focussed on training, supporting and facilitating parents and professionals who work with children, to understand how children grow with resilience and what gets in the way of that.
I am blown away by the research from the field of neurobiology that makes it totally clear how much humans rely on relationship to grow and function every day. Relationship with others, with ourselves and with the natural world. Of course, indigenous cultures have always known that but western industrial systems have dragged us away from this deep knowing of what it is to be truly human.
I have studied and am fascinated by polyvagal theory, attachement theory, deep ecology, trauma, recovery and resilience, imagination, non violent communication, play and mindfulness. I am delighted to see how they are all integrated into a whole pattern of love and respect for life.
I have been involved in environmental campaigning for many years in a part time way. Being a ‘people person’ I struggled to really engage with the deep and obvious connection between human well-being and the health of the planet. A few years ago I was jolted into awareness by the actions of Extinction Rebellion, that the climate crisis is devastatingly urgent. I asked myself how I could contribute to the system change that is so desperately needed. I saw parents stepping into action and being overwhelmed with the distress and urgency of their fear for their children. I saw others paralysed by the enormity of their helpless feelings. I realised that everything I have learned has led to this moment, that this is my contribution to system change; to share how we can change the world by changing the way that we bring up children.
The covid pandemic brought everything into clear focus. Our political, social, education, economic systems are simply not able to meet the needs of planet and people. Inequality and injustice is causing devastating suffering. Climate change is hurtling on, destroying the lives and livelihoods of so many around the world. We need change and I want to be part of it.
I am heartbroken by the stress, anxiety and suffering of children and young people, by the lack of support given to parents. I am furious at the way children’s needs are ignored by governments. I am passionate about how we can change that together. There is so much information available now that shows how to build deep and lasting resilience in our whole culture through changing the way we bring up children. I am dedicated to sharing this information in warm, compassionate and inspiring ways.