John Courtney, BACP

John Courtney is an integrative therapist with four years of professional experience supporting people through stress, anxiety, trauma, grief, relationship difficulties and life transitions. He aims to build a therapeutic relationship grounded in empathy, authenticity and non-judgemental acceptance so that clients can explore what is troubling them, where difficult feelings may originate and how those patterns affect everyday life. This collaborative stance helps clients identify practical steps toward positive change and a more satisfying sense of self and direction.

Trained as an integrative practitioner, John draws on psychodynamic ideas alongside humanistic, person-centered principles to see people in their fullest context. He uses the safety of the therapeutic relationship as a scaffold, allowing conversations to move toward deeper understanding or practical problem solving depending on the client s needs. His approach is adaptable, meeting people who have experienced early or more recent trauma, depression, work and life stress, relationship breakdown, family strain, grief, shame and issues related to LGBT identity.

John holds BACP accreditation - BACP refers to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, a professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists - and he is experienced in working with people who may not initially know why they are seeking therapy but carry a persistent sense of unease or dissatisfaction. Having experienced therapy personally, he recognises how significant the first step can be and offers steady support throughout the therapeutic journey.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

John uses client-centered therapy to place the person at the heart of the process, offering empathic listening and genuine acceptance so clients can explore their feelings and make choices that reflect their values. This approach is helpful for issues such as low self-esteem, life dissatisfaction and relationship concerns. He also draws on psychodynamic therapy to explore how past experiences and unconscious patterns influence current thoughts, feelings and behaviours, which can support work on trauma, recurring relationship difficulties and long-standing emotional patterns. Attachment-based ideas are also part of his practice, focusing on how early relationships shape ways of relating and what can be done to build more secure connections.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and John works collaboratively with each person to determine what fits best. Together they consider the client s goals, preferences and the particular challenges they bring, adjusting methods as progress unfolds so therapy remains relevant and practical.

Online sessions - whether by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging - offer flexibility and accessibility for different schedules and needs. These options make it possible to maintain continuity of care, suit varying communication styles and allow clients to engage from locations that are convenient for them, while working with registered professionals and therapists who tailor their approach to each individual.