“To be human means we are going to experience anxiety, grief, suffering, and loss ~ it’s part of the human experience”
With Jodee Clover Counsellor & Psychotherapist
This episode explores the deeply human foundations of counselling and space-holding.
We touch on the nature of safe therapeutic relationship, empathy and compassion in practice, and the role of curiosity when listening to another person’s lived experience.
The conversation also touches on protective patterns developed through trauma, reflective practice for practitioners, the influence of shame in healing spaces, and existential perspectives on anxiety, meaning, and the ongoing process of becoming.
Together, these reflections offer insight into the inner work and relational presence that shape authentic therapeutic practice.
About Jodee Clover
Jodee Clover is a counsellor and heart-centred practitioner who approaches her work through deep compassion for the human experience.
She is the queen of being able to sit and be comfortable with not knowing, a strong advocate for reflective practice as a counsellor, Jodee is the epitome of wisdom, reflection and a capacity to offer presence into the spaces she holds.
In this episode, we touch on the philosophy of counselling and holding space with the heart.
Jodee was drawn into counselling during a pivotal life transition while raising her three sons. Following a persistent inner pull toward more meaningful work, she stepped into formal training and quickly recognised counselling as a natural extension of the way she had always related to people ~ with curiosity, empathy, and a deep respect for each person’s story.
Jodee no longer works within the NDIS practice mentioned in the episode as she has another role.
In this episode you will find:
00:21 Meet Jodee Clover
01:51 What Drew Her to Counselling
04:10 What Counselling Really Is
05:09 Creating Safety and Compassion
08:08 Nonjudgment and Reflective Practice
11:35 Heartbreak, Boundaries, Self Care
23:08 Existential Lens and Healing Relationship
38:20 Final Wisdom and Farewell
Resources & references mentioned
Carl Rogers ~ The founder of humanistic psychology and founder of person-centred therapy, known for emphasising empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authentic relationship in counselling.
Irvin D. Yalom ~ An existential psychiatrist and author who explored the human condition through psychotherapy, focusing on themes such as meaning, mortality, freedom, and isolation.
Prof. Sam Vaknin ~ A professor of psychology and author known for his work on narcissism, personality disorders, and the dynamics of identity and trauma.
Ernesto Spinelli ~ An existential psychotherapist and author known for developing phenomenological and existential approaches to counselling, emphasising curiosity, relational understanding, and exploring how individuals make meaning of their experience
Matt Kahn ~ A contemporary spiritual teacher whose teachings focus on emotional healing, compassion, and opening the heart as a pathway for transformation.
Emmy van Deurzen ~ An existential psychotherapist who integrates philosophy and therapy to explore how humans create meaning through their lived experiences.
Tara Brach ~ A clinical psychologist, meditation teacher, and author whose work integrates mindfulness, compassion practices,
