JBOT - Jo Southall

10/01/2026

The Living well series starts tonight for all HMSA members! I absolutely love delivering these sessions with the amazing Online Psychotherapist.

If you're a member, make sure you sign up. You can watch the recording and interact online if the time slots don't work for you!

If you aren't a member yet? Visit The Hypermobility Syndromes Association website to find out more!

NB: Registration *IS OPEN* IN MEMBERS ONLY Area. We are so pleased to announce that Jo and Kim will be running their ‘Living Well’ Series again in 2026 - which is FREE and for MEMBERS ONLY. Register now - sessions start on Saturday January 10th (7-8.30pm) and run for 5 weeks.

09/01/2026

January and February have a LOT of really exciting events coming up. This one run by the HMSA is for healthcare professionals, please feel free to share it far and wide! Cranio-cervical instability can be severely disabling, hard to treat and complicated to understand. If you'd like to hear from some real experts in the field... plus me, please sing up!

FREE 2-part PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION event for all clinicians wanting a better understanding of treatment options for hypermobile patients with leading experts in the field: Physios (Ann McCarthy, Anna Higo), Neurosurgeon (Prof Joshi George), Rheumatologist (Dr Philip Bull); OT (Jo Southall).

02/01/2026

Happy new year all! Well done for making it through 2025 at least mostly intact!

We've got some exciting new developments for this year. I will also be getting stuck in with my MSc Dissertation from March onwards, so get booked in for anything you need before then! I'll be winding things down a bit to focus on research.

For now, this exciting development comes from my current OT student, Yaz. Take a look at the message from her below!

Hi everyone
I’m Yaz Harrison, an MSc Occupational Therapy student at Keele University (very close to graduating), currently on my fourth and final placement with the lovely Jo Southall.
I’m also an ADHDer (inattentive type), and I live in a neurodiverse household with my husband, who has suspected ADHD (hyperactive type). Navigating life, relationships, routines, and a home with ADHD isn’t something I study from a distance — it’s my day-to-day reality.

I’m starting to explore an idea for a future service, and I’d really value honest feedback from people with lived experience of ADHD.

My passion is supporting other ADHDers to navigate life and live well, using a combination of my occupational therapy skillset and the real, practical experience of living with ADHD. I understand the challenges ADHD can create — the executive functioning difficulties, the mental fatigue, the task paralysis — but I also believe deeply in finding strategies that work with your ADHD brain, not against it, so life feels more do-able.
One idea I’m considering is creating a webinar (with practical handouts) focused on keeping your home functional and safe in a way that supports your ADHD brain.

Because let’s be honest — some days we’re “on it” and the house is ticking along… and other days life happens, our brains are overloaded, and suddenly everything feels chaotic and survival mode kicks in.
From my own experience, when my home becomes out of alignment — laundry piling up, dishes spilling out of the sink, clutter building on every surface, bins overflowing, unopened post everywhere — my ADHD makes it really hard to know where to start, how to plan, and how to follow things through. That often leads to task paralysis, avoidance, and complete mental exhaustion just thinking about it. Then my mood drops, and the cycle continues.

This is something my husband and I actively work on, because we genuinely feel most calm, happy, and regulated when our space feels functional and organised for us. As an OT student and an ADHDer, I truly recognise how much our environment impacts our mental health — especially when executive functioning is already stretched.

The aim of this potential webinar wouldn’t be “perfect homes” or unrealistic routines, but practical, compassionate strategies you can return to when things go off track — so you know how to gently reset, rebuild skills, and get out of that cycle when ADHD noise takes over.

So I’d love to ask:
• Is this something you’d personally find helpful?
• Is it something you’d consider paying for?
• What are the biggest challenges you face at home because of ADHD?
Your lived experiences would really help shape whether — and how — I move forward with this idea 💛

In the mean time, while I'm here with Jo, we're offering Freestyle Appointments with the focus on maintaining/improving home life and self-care. These 30 minute appointments would be half price (£25 for 30 minutes). If you're an existing client you can book directly via the Bookings link below. If you haven't worked with Jo before, please email hello@jboccupationaltherapy.co.uk to get the paperwork started! JBOT@jboccupationaltherapycouk.onmicrosoft.com/" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://outlook.office.com/book/JBOT@jboccupationaltherapycouk.onmicrosoft.com/

Thank you

20/11/2025

Not long to go! Looking forward to a productive evenings discussion!

As 2025 races on we're approaching the first of Jo Southall's winter 'Ask the OT' sessions. This month she'll be joined by Joy Mason, of Mast Cell Action. Please note that here in the UK, our clocks went back since last month's event. This session will begin at 7:00 GMT/UST on Thursday the 21st of November. Register here: https://www.hypermobility.org/event-details/ask-the-experts-with-jo-southall-and-mast-cell-action-20th-nov for live/replay link.

01/11/2025

Existing clients, I would like some advice. I know my initial interview is long and somewhat daunting but here's the issue... If I don't have all that info upfront, you have to tell me in the appointment...which you're paying for. A lot of my fellow healthcare professionals actually charge an admin fee for reviewing info prior to appointments which I don't do.

The more info I start with, the sooner I can actually be of use in terms of advice etc. However, it does seem like some people are so put off by the paperwork, they don't do it.

Here are some alternative options, it would be lovely to hear if either of them appeal.

1. Swapping to a Microsoft forms online system where you complete the web form which would allow you to skip over irrelevant sections based on your answers. It could also mean some questions are tick boxes rather than text answers.

2. Offering a service where you book my time, and I quiz you / type up the answers for a fee.

Any comments appreciated! Thanks so much!

31/10/2025

Hi, I’m Natalie, an occupational therapy student currently on placement with Jo at JBOT. Alongside my occupational therapy training, I have a background in yoga, breathwork, and inclusive wellbeing.

During my training I have seen how much of a difference breathwork can have on a person’s health and wellbeing, especially those living with a chronic condition or managing emotional overwhelm.

I have decided to create a 30-minute workshop to support inclusive wellbeing and to offer an insight into the benefits of breathwork in everyday life. This workshop is a gentle space where we can discuss the science behind the breath, practice simple relaxation tools, and reflect on how breathwork can fit into your daily routine (without feeling like its another thing to add to the to do list).

There is no pressure, no perfection but just a space to learn to breath and connect with yourself.

This workshop is very interactive and can be offered 1:1 or as a small group, if you would like to bring your friends and family along.

I complete placement on the 28th November, meaning sessions will need to be booked in before the 20th November. All new clients will be asked to complete paperwork before attending. If you would like any more information or are interested in booking the workshop, please contact me at natalie@jboccupationaltherapy.co.uk or 07595260285 .

15/10/2025

Still time to sign up for tomorrow's webinar!

🧠💬 Still time to register for *tomorrow's* 'Ask the OT: Hypermobility & Joint Wellness' session, our bendy-friendly Occupational Therapist JBOT - Jo Southall will be joined by Reema Chadha, Clinical Lead Physiotherapist and Bollywood dancer, who has JHS and blends clinical expertise with her personal insight and a passion for movement.
Join us at 7pm (GMT) for a special live session covering planning, pacing, joint protection, mobility aids, and long-term joint wellness.
📍 Patients only. Live via Zoom (no app needed). Replay available later.
🔗 Register now: hypermobility.org/events (Free, public event)
❓Advance questions welcome, comment or message us here, or e-mail info@hypermobility.org including 'ASK' in the subject line and our LinkFairy will collate them before the show. 🙂

14/10/2025

Managing chronic symptoms is almost always complicated. I know a lot of us feel like we 'should have got the hang of it' after years of practice but it's not always that easy.

Particularly when seasonal changes impact our symptoms. As we slide into Autumn, I like to review my recent coping strategy use and remind myself about things I might need for the coming colder months.

A flare-up plan is a document that covers our most common or most unpleasant symptoms and how we're supposed to manage them. It can be helpful in a number of different ways:

1. Beating brain fog. If it's literally written down and stuck to the fridge, we'll probably remember what to do when we need that info most.

2. Ensuring consistent care and support. If you've got multiple people involved in keeping you alive and vaguely functional, having them all working from the same plan is definitely a good thing.

3. Validation. If a qualified healthcare professional recognises that your symptoms are real, unpleasant and hard to manage.. maybe it helps us be kinder to ourselves when we feel absolutely rubbish.

4. Knowing when to seek help. Lots of us are worried about being revolving door patients, we try so hard *not* to bother the GP.. we go too far the other way and end up trying to self manage something impossible. Then end up at A&E after apologising to a crew of slightly concerned paramedics.

When I work on flare-up plans, it's about providing a starting point. A structure and plan that works now, but that can evolve over time to meet the changing needs of a complex patient.

If that sounds like something you're interested in, please take a look online or drop me a message to discuss. All done via Teams and email. Appointments available worldwide.

email: hello@jboccupationaltherapy.co.uk
Mobile/WhatsApp: (+44) 07507894759.

With every chronic condition Flare-up's are going to happen eventually. A flare up plan helps make sure you get the support you need and helps you manage...

10/10/2025

Seasonal changes can cause havoc for chronically ill folks. We often don't adapt well to changes in air pressure, temperature and daylight hours. It can be helpful to review your approaches to self management a few times a year to ensure that everything is still working optimally.

I like to do this in spring an autumn. Like swapping out your summer and winter wardrobe, I swap out my summer and winter coping strategies. I've spent a lot of time focussed on staying cool and keeping my heart rate low this summer. Now the focus shifts to avoiding chilblains, coping with aches and pains and finding ways to get fresh air and exercise in poor weather.

If you're struggling with how best to manage your symptoms, it might be a good time to log on with your friendly neighbourhood Occupational Therapist.

All good self-management starts with sensible and effective energy use. If you've not done one before, might I suggest a Pacing Masterclass?

Please feel free to share. I have a remarkably short waiting list at the moment! Drop an email to hello@jboccupationaltherapy.co.uk or WhatsApp +447507894759. Appointments are available worldwide via Teams.

Pacing is an important management strategy for a wide range of long-term conditions. In this pacing masterclass you'll learn the theory, tips, hints & more

08/10/2025

Little collaboration with the fabulous Jeannie Di Bon! If you're struggling with kitchen tasks, take a look at some of my top advice!

15/09/2025

It's the third week of September and with the wind howling outside, we're starting to feel autumnal. Fluffy socks and cosy blankets call, and this Thursday we'll be going live with 'Ask the OT' with Jo Southall at 7pm. It's a free show (you can register on our events page), and will be recorded, so if you've a question you'd like to ask our friendly Occupational Therapist, just let us know, message if you're shy! We can't promise to answer them all, but we'll do our best!

22/08/2025

The latest in a long line of actions that deliberately erase diversity, inclusion and personal choice in the USA. Yet for every attempt the politicians make at squashing human decency, there are people fighting back. I fully applaud anyone who sets out to ruin the day of an ICE agent. I want to make it perfectly clear to anyone from the USA who chooses to work with me as their OT. I support, respect and celebrate your identity. I respect your choices and your right to choose.

Holy F***… they paved over the PULSE MEMORIAL rainbow crosswalk 🏳️‍🌈💔