John O'Shaughnessy

Counselling & Psychotherapy for Individuals and Couples 

Individuals

I specialise in working with addiction / dependency, anger management, anxiety, bereavement and depression. I also have a focus on men as primary childcarers, parenting issues and creativity such as writing and other forms of artistic expression. I am experienced in working with a range of other issues and can support you whatever you are struggling with.

The pace of modern life can be exhausting and overwhelming. We can find it difficult to make time for contact with ourselves,other people, leisure, exercise, relaxation or reflection. You may engage in activities or behaviours that you are unhappy about. In order to relate to others in a healthy way each of us needs to begin by doing so with our self. I often hear people refer to their best friend in terms of another person. I believe our best friend is our self and it is vital to invest in our relationship with our self. I know from my experience of stepping back and becoming aware of my thoughts, feelings and physical experience I can then make choices that support me rather than react without consideration for myself and others.

I believe we are all innately inclined towards shaping a creative, joyful life even in the face of life’s challenges. We come into adulthood with experiences that affect our well being. There may also be many rules, inhibitions and fears that influence our lives. My role as a humanistic psychotherapist and counsellor is to support you as a unique and resourceful human being to draw on your own self knowledge to form a more satisfying relationship with yourself and others. Some of the issues I work with are anger management, bereavement, depression, anxiety, addiction and relationship difficulties. I can work with any issue that you wish to focus on.

I offer both a time limited period of counselling to focus on a particular issue and a longer process of psychotherapy which explores in more depth what shapes your behaviour, thought processes and emotional experience. As well as drawing on my extensive training, I also bring my compassion, respect, warmth and honesty to our work together. I provide a confidential, non judgemental environment where you are free to explore any issues that you choose to talk about 

Couples

You may feel distant from each other and struggle with communication. Are there life events that have impacted your relationship? I can support you with working through your struggles whether that is to strengthen your relationship and remain together or work towards ending.  I will facilitate the opportunity for you to hear each other, empathise with each other, build respect for your differences, grow kindness and see the value of your relationship.

I am in ongoing professional development drawing on various sources. I am also in professional supervision and personal development. I encourage using therapy in a simple and practical way in everyday life. I am a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy and abide by their Code of Ethics. I worked as a counsellor and psychotherapist at the Centre for Better Health in Hackney from January 2010 to Dec 2012. I have over 12 years experience as a psychotherapist.

As a social worker, I worked with people who have physical health issues, mental health needs and alcohol / drugs problems. I have experience of working in the private and public sectors and am familiar with different organisational cultures and issues.

I am a parent and am familiar with many of the issues that can arise. I have an Irish Catholic and English background which gives me an experience of being socialised and living in two cultures. I have lived in London all of my life and my enjoyment and appreciation of the richness and diversity of the city and it's inhabitants deepens year by year. I have lived, worked and made friendships from different cultures, religions, classes as well as people who are disabled, gay and lesbian. I have a unique view of the world as being born here to immigrant parents from the Irish Republic. I am respectful and empathic in relation to people who are struggling with their identity and may have associated issues in terms of self esteem, anxiety and depression.I have found my own personal therapy of enormous value in terms of leading a more satisfying life particularly in relation to working on these issues.

Individuals £70 / Couples £85 for a 50 minute session in N16. In person / online. Daytime & early evening sessions Mon - Thurs.

Please contact me to see if slots available.

Some lower cost spaces may be available