Jo Ashcroft

Consultant Clinical Psychologist, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Jo is the a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and lead for the Cancer Psychological Support Service (CaPS) at St George’s University Hospital. Jo has over 13 years’ experience working within clinical health psychology in acute hospital settings, primary care and the third sector. She has a keen personal interest in working with those impacted by cancer and undergoing palliative care, including patients, carers and families. Jo is proud to lead the CaPS service, consisting of clinical/counselling psychologists, systemic family therapy and psychiatry. The CaPS team works closely with a range of health care professionals to provide holistic and integrated psychological care in both the in-patient and outpatient setting. Jo and her team lead on teaching, training, consultation and supervision for healthcare staff to support early recognition and management of psychological distress within cancer care. Clinically, Jo works with a range of therapeutic models, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), third wave cognitive behavioural therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness, as well as systemic, narrative and existential approaches. Jo and her team are paving the way for improved services for cancer patients experiencing difficulties with breathlessness, sex and intimacy, severe mental illness and those facing health inequalities.

Jo completed an undergraduate psychology degree at Warwick University and a Masters in Health Psychology at Southampton University prior to spending time within a childhood obesity research role at the University College Hospital. She went on to complete her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry in 2010 and a diploma in cognitive behaviour therapies at Royal Holloway University. She has since worked across various clinical health psychology services as well as within chronic pain management, severe asthma, upper airway disorders, bariatric surgery and cancer. She has also worked within primary care services developing services for those living with long-term conditions and for the Cancer Charity Maggie’s at the Royal Free Hospital. In addition to her NHS role Jo also runs a small private practice.