CSA International Faculty

Jo Birch

Coaching Supervision Academy Director: Corporate Development

International Executive Coach, Counsellor/psychotherapist, Supervisor and Writer

Jo’s leadership has evolved from practice – demonstrating love and compassion for people, alongside deft, clear decision-making and a grounded presence in holding space. Initially specialising in Child Psychiatry (RSCN/RGN), Jo became a counsellor / psychotherapist over 20 years ago – achieving her MA Couns in 2000 through original research. Her interest in community mental health, and passion for creating a just world, brought her to live and work in inner city Manchester. Jo flourished in a number of strategic roles, including charity CEO, leading complex organisations, multi-sector partnerships and large programmes addressing inequalities – engaging diverse communities and key strategic decision-makers through her inclusive, open leadership style and commitment to collaboration.

A year living and working in Mongolia, as a Health Sector Leadership Advisor, gave a new dimension to Jo’s expertise in working at the cultural interface. Her established international executive coaching and supervision practice includes clients from Columbia to China, USA to Ulaanbaatar, as well as local people in Scotland where she currently lives.

Jo is a regular traveller to Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia delivering CSA Asia Pacific programmes alongside Leanne Lowish. In 2015 Jo became CSA UK Programme Leader – bringing over 18 years’ experience of providing supervision, individually and in groups, to counsellors, psychotherapists, health sector specialists, NHS managers, local leaders and coaches.

Jo’s professional appointments include Founding Executive, British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Coaching (2010 – 2015); BACP Coaching Chair (2012 – 2014); Trustee, Edinburgh Women’s Aid (2013 to date); Trustee, Patient’s Advocacy Service – human rights service within maximum secure (forensic) mental health at The State Hospital, Carstairs (2013 to date); Fellow, Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce (RSA) and Friend of VSO. She is active within the Association for Coaching (AC) – member of Special Interest Group in Coaching Supervision, and Supervisor holding ‘Supervision Experiences’ for AC members. Jo is also a member of the Association for Coaching Supervisors. Additionally Jo holds a current Public Appointment as Panel Member for Scotland’s Children’s Hearings.

Jo’s publications in include Stepping into the future – a leadership journey (2013); Transformation and change – starting with myself (2013); Standing out from the crowd: what’s your USP? Birch, J. Corrie, S. (2014); Fit for purpose: getting the best supervision for your practice. Corrie, S. Birch, J. (2014); How to get the most from supervision. Birch, J. Corrie, S. (2014); Diving deep, reaching high: how to develop yourself as a supervisor. Corrie, S. Birch, J. (2015) and also Series Editor of Thinking Global in Coaching Today – sourcing and editing wide range of articles exploring cross cultural working (2013 – 2015)

When she is not working, Jo might be found seeking adventure with her grandchildren, or finding balance and stillness sea kayaking off the Scottish coast. Jo lives in Edinburgh and is regularly in London and Manchester.

MA Couns, Dip Coaching Supervision, Post Grad Dip Couns, Cert Coaching, Cert Person-centred Art Therapy