John Harris

Current availability on Mondays for couples counselling and Thursdays for individual therapy and couples counselling.

I am an Integrative psychotherapist and couples counsellor. 

In individual psychotherapy I work to free up the hidden parts of your Self, that have become burried and inaccessible to you. Without a full and complete sense of 'Self' - that is, who you really are- functioning in the world can feel very difficult. Lost parts of self become replaced by anxiety, low mood, shame, and emotional defences. This can leave you feeling lost in relationships, particularly romantic ones, and lost in what it is you want to achieve in life. 

Restoring a full sense of Self is the cornerstone of recovering from anxiety, depression and other emotional defences. Who you are, the full and complete unique you that no one else is or could ever be, is reeing and restorative. 

I am a couples counsellor and have an Advanced Certificate in Couples Counselling recognised by COSRT. I use a variety of techniques to make individual's issues heard and to make sense of what is happening in the relationship. My roe is very much about 'holding the relationship' for the couple to allow them freedom of expression. Interpretation of the dynamic is then possible.

For individual psychotherapy/counselling I will usually see you once a week at a regular time and day if possible. Individual psychotherapy is a committment for both of us, and the regularity of contact is very important. Good psychotherapy does take time; it cannot be rushed and their are no quick fixes. Most people find the stability of a regular session in which to share thier feelings and be heard is hugely beneficial.

Couples can expect to be seen together session one; then separately for a session each, before coming back to joint sessions. The first few sessions are about establishing the background issues and allowing me to get a feel for where each partner is. Subsequently there are short exercises to be done (homework!) to help each partner feel understood by the other. Central to couples work is me providing a common language for the couple,s othey can begin to talk about their interractions is a much safer and more prodcutive way. I would usually expect between 10-20 sessions will make a huge difference in most relationships. Unlike individual counselling, sessions can quickly move to every fortnight and then once a month, allowing plenty of time for the work to mature.

A first session is aboout getting to know you and finding out what you want from therapy- if you know! Not everyone comes to therapy with a clear idea of what they need, and that is ok.

If we deicide we want to progrress, we would have another 5 sessions and then a review of whether you feel it is still right for you and if you are getting what you need.