The Norm

Nice to meet you

The founder
"My name is Jo and I am a Clinical Psychologist. Which essentially means I am someone who helps people navigate the curve balls of life. I worked in the NHS for many years and left to build my own practice to work in a way that suited my needs and that of my family."

What’s the vision?

the norm is my attempt at disrupting the culture of mental health. It’s time to break the cycle of becoming unwell before we figure out how to stay well. Over the years as a Psychologist I have seen the efforts made in the pursuit of normality. Without realizing it, people are often trying to live someone else’s story.

I want people to realize that they can write their own. That the real success to feeling ‘normal’ is to live a life that is based on who you are as an individual and what’s important to you.

Over the past two years I have had a vision. A wish to create a platform that enables people to:

  1. Make sense of who they are so they can design a lifestyle that suits them
  2. Access and make sense of good quality resources and support
  3. Have 24/7 therapeutic guidance to answer all things mental health.

We all have the complete ability to be in control of our mental well-ness. As long as we are given the information and tools to do so. Life will continue to throw us curve balls…..but if we have a good solid bat we can whack them right back.

the word design
A heart inside inside a head

Do I need this in my life?

the norm is for you if any of these apply:

  • You are curious about what affects your mental well-ness
  • You want to be progressive in designing an individual lifestyle that suits
  • You find it frustrating that you can’t get make sense of where to find good support and resources relating to mental health
  • It feels useful to have a therapeutic guide in your pocket for whenever you might want information, advice, or support.
  • You have been in therapy and now want to keep a proactive space to maintain well-ness

The small print

the norm is built on the principles of psychological theory and empirical evidence. It conceptualizes our mental health needs within a framework of three areas. The first area is Neurology and refers to the way we are wired. This remains fairly static throughout our lives. The second area is Orientation which connects with the current life-stage we are at. This changes as we hit significant life milestones and transitions. The third and final area is Resilience which taps into the power we have in our strengths.

Whilst the norm itself has not been empirically tested as a method of maintaining well-ness, the individual theories it is built on have been. It draws on principles of Neuroscience, Attachment Theory, Trauma concepts, Positive Psychology, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and others. The platform aims to be a piece of practice-based evidence that is less about research done on others and more about your individual needs and ability to take control of your own mental well-ness.