Hello

Welcome and thanks for visiting.

I’m Jonathan and I’m a qualified counsellor accredited by the National Counselling Society (NCS). I offer a warm, relational, non-judgemental, and confidential space in which you can share and explore any difficulties you are encountering. It is up to you what you bring to the space and what is talked about, and how I work will be guided by your pace and rhythm.

I have experience of working with a wide range of issues, including stress and anxiety, depression, trauma, anger issues, motivation, self esteem, confidence, relationship difficulties, issues at work, and identity related issues, including LGBTQ+.

My approach

My practice is grounded in the humanistic person-centred approach. This means that I'll really listen to you and explore with you how you make sense of yourself and your issues, as well as others and the world around you. I find this to be a robust way of addressing difficulties brought, and that it can often also help with issues that aren’t directly talked about. For instance, counselling might in some circumstances help improve a person’s sleep even though their sleep difficulties haven’t been a main focus of the sessions, but where underlying psychological and emotional issues contributing to poor sleep have been explored. I also draw on elements of other major counselling approaches (including existential, gestalt, and psychodynamic) to help ensure that the counselling meets the unique needs of each client.

Therapeutic writing and art exercises can also be incorporated where it would be beneficial and a client wishes to work in this way. I sometimes find that a gentle and meaningful humour can help give respite to the seriousness of counselling and can contribute to it positively. I work with compassion and open mindedness.

Taking the first steps in seeking counselling takes courage. I'll support you in that process.

I offer a free 15 minute consultation. Please also feel free to message me if you have any questions.

Background & Experience

I enjoy working with clients from a diverse range of backgrounds within private practice, and I also have experience of working as a counsellor within agency settings, including counselling work within a youth project. I have over 15 years of experience of support work within social care and mental health contexts, working with people who have suffered trauma and who have a range of emotional difficulties. Through a PhD in Government/Social Science and an MA in Cultural Theory and Philosophy, I have also carried out research on the political and cultural contexts of the field of counselling and psychotherapy in the UK.