Graham Johnston

I am trained in a range of evidence-based psychological therapies, to offer you an approach specific to you and your needs, such as:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for anxiety and depression
Attachment-based therapy for those struggling in relationships
Exposure therapy for panic, social anxiety and general anxiety
Solution-focused brief therapy

We will get to the heart of the issues causing you problems from session one, and I will suggest practical solutions for your distress. I won’t waste your time with new fads, or techniques that are not backed by research.

I'm quite an active therapist compared to many others: I will step in to help you see your thought patterns and repetitive behaviours, and offer ideas for ways for you to change. I'll suggest readings and things you can practice between sessions. After all, there are 168 hours in a week; you usually only spend one in therapy. How you spend the other 167 matters. I'm not the expert on how you should live your life; but I can help and guide you towards feeling better and living the life you want.

I will help you challenge the way you think about your life, and to behave in new ways. We won’t just talk about the causes of your problems, like a lot of therapy.

I have a particular expertise and interest in the science of attachment, which explains how previous relationships can shape unhelpful responses in future relationships.

This is particularly helpful in working with couples – understanding why each partner acts in the ways they do – and helping them respond in new ways.

I've also co-written the book on what the evidence shows makes up the best therapy – A Straight Talking Introduction to Therapy: what is it, how it works, how to get it. So, you can be re-assured I am focusing on what will work for you.

Before training as a therapist, I worked for two decades at the centre of government, solving some of the most complex problems facing the country, and shaping decisions that affected millions of people.

I left to retrain, and set up The London Centre for Applied Psychotherapy which provides evidence-based training to mental health professionals, and consults to business on mental health and wellbeing at work. I have an MBA from Imperial College, London.

Who I see

I offer help to individuals, couples and parents. I tend to work with people that – despite their problems – are doing well in their lives. It might seem from the outside that they’re doing fine, but underneath, maybe in a specific part of their life, they’re really struggling.

Typically, this is people who work in highly pressured jobs ranging from senior executives to professional sport. My previous professional background helps me understand their challenges.

Often, people come to me, whether as individuals or couples, because they’re struggling to make their relationships work – at work, at home with their partners and children.

What I can help with

I have over a decade of experience improving the lives of those interested in making positive changes – whether they have depression, anxiety, addictions or relationship challenges. I love what I do, and that drives me to ensure that you’re not wasting your time and money. If I don’t think I’m best placed to help, I’ll let you know straight away and provide you with some recommendations for someone who will be well-placed to help.

I work online

I’ve been working solely online for more than two years. The vast majority of people who come to me for help appreciate how convenient it is for them. They don’t have to travel to someone’s office or house, and can fit it in during the working day when an in-person session simply wouldn’t be feasible. The evidence suggests it makes no difference to whether you’ll find our work beneficial.