About me
Hi, I’m John. I offer individual therapy for people aged 18+.
Like most therapists, I have studied a few different approaches and how to blend them to meet the needs of each client.
But what does that actually mean for you? What can you expect?
While I would describe myself as a bit of a therapy nerd, and would love to talk theory, I know from my experience as a client that the ‘therapy speak’ about theories and techniques didn’t help me find the right therapist.
So in normal language; It’s my job to try and get to know and understand you, and what you might need, as fully as possible. In doing so I hope that you find some understanding too.
I would class myself as a ‘relational’ therapist, which simply means I’ll focus more on you and what's happening for you, than treating a particular problem. I will spend time listening to you, making sure I have understood your experience. I will probably ask you a lot of questions, some of which might even seem strange. I’ll offer you my interpretation of what’s going on for you, and I won’t always hit the mark, and I’ll want you to tell me just that! I encourage all clients to try their best not to censor themselves, I will want to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly-- I’m here for it all.
I'll offer suggestions of experiments to try if I know particular things to be helpful, but generally I’m not the type to tell you what to do-- don't anticipate lots of homework.
If in working with me you feel like you have found a space free of judgement and shame to explore anything you like, and that you didn’t have to do so alone, I will consider my job well done.
The key points for those skimming;
- Leans toward psychodynamic and humanistic thinking, and prefers to be as minimally directive as possible (I give suggestions, not orders)
- Prefers to pull weeds out by the root rather than prune the leaves (not the man for quick fixes)
- Particularly interested in sexual difficulties and sexuality as a whole-- currently undertaking a Diploma in Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy (Contemporary Institute of Clinical Sexology)
- Likes hearing feedback of all kinds from clients-- tell me when I'm irritating you, it's therapeutic gold!
- Posts therapy content on social media on occasion-- check out my Instagram page for an insight
Training, qualifications & experience
I hold a BACP accredited Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (CPCAB), and am currently undertaking specialist training via a Diploma in Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy (Contemporary Institute of Clinical Sexology).
I have experience working with clients with a wide range of issues, from grief and loss to depression and anxiety, symptoms of trauma, phobias, issues of identity and life transitions, relationship difficulties, suicidal ideation, and more, both in short-term solution-focused counselling and in broader more exploratory therapy. It's helpful to have a focus, but you do not need to know from the outset what you want to talk about-- I enjoy exploratory work and seeing what arises. If I don’t feel I’m best-suited to help you with whatever ails you I’ll be happy to point you in the right direction.
I have a particular personal interest in the areas of gender, sex & sexuality, relationship issues, and those affected by crime (including perpetrators).
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
I am interested in hearing from clients from all walks of life. I am always learning and have completed some form of CPD or training in a variety of topics including;
- Jungian Dream Analysis
- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (A.S.I.S.T. - NHSCT)
- Porn Addiction & Compulsive Sexual Behaviour (COSRT)
- Working with Infidelity (OU)
- Counselling Online (OU/BACP)
- Intro Term - Institute of Psychosexual Medicine
If you would like to know if I can be of help please get in touch, If I can't help I might know who can.
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Concessionary rate of £35 per session for students
When I work
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I currently work part-time in addition to my practice and ongoing studies, I try my best to accommodate so if you're concerned about availability please feel free to reach out.
Further information
I can offer in-person session in a private office space in the centre of Antrim Town, or, online or telephone sessions. Unfortunately my current office space is not wheelchair accessible.
