John Bristow

Please check the website for current availability.

Mon-Fri evening (6-9) and Saturday sessions only.

My formal training as an Integrative Supervisor incorporates a qualification in Therapeutic Supervision at CPCAB Level 6.

With a background in mental health since 2011 I have amassed a wealth of experience in working alongside individuals presenting with a wide range of mental health troubles and difficult life experiences. From complex needs and neuro-diversity to the more common, lower-level mental health difficulties that many of us experience. As well as this, I have a robust understanding of addiction-related issues and interventions through both agency and private re-hab work.

I run a  private practice from the centre of abingdon alongside my day work for Oxfordshire MIND - embeded in children's social care (OCC - Family solutions plus) working with adults that experience mental health difficulties that are under the care of a social worker.

An initial consultation to see if we fit can be had at a reduced rate.

Please reach out for details.

I currently offer appointments Monday to Saturday between 9am and 9pm. These hours reflect the range of times that sessions may be scheduled, rather than continuous availability throughout the day.

Appointments are offered at selected times within this window depending on existing bookings and the needs of clients. I aim to provide a mixture of daytime and evening sessions to accommodate different work patterns and personal commitments.

Availability can vary from week to week, so please feel free to get in touch to enquire about current openings. I will always do my best to offer the next suitable appointment where possible.

If I plan to take any extended leave or time away from the practice, this will be communicated to clients in advance.

I offer couples counselling using the Gottman Method, a well-researched and highly respected approach to relationship therapy. This model focuses on helping couples strengthen their emotional connection, communicate more openly, and learn practical ways to manage conflict without damaging the relationship. Many couples find this approach helpful for moving away from repeated arguments and towards a deeper understanding of one another.

Sessions provide a supportive and structured space where both partners can speak openly, feel heard, and begin to rebuild trust and connection. The work often focuses on improving communication, reducing unhelpful patterns in arguments, and strengthening the friendship and respect that sits at the heart of a healthy relationship.

Appointments are offered at various times depending on current bookings, and I try to keep some flexibility so that it is easier for both partners to attend together.

Availability can change from week to week, so if you are considering couples therapy please feel free to get in touch to ask about current openings. I will always try to offer the next suitable appointment where possible.

Assessment phase

The first three sessions focus on understanding you and your relationship. We begin with a joint session where both partners attend together. This is followed by an individual session with each partner, and then a feedback session where we come back together as a couple.

During this stage, I will be looking to understand the strengths of the relationship as well as the areas that are creating difficulty. As part of the process, I will observe a short structured conversation between you and also ask each partner to complete a detailed set of questionnaires outside of the session (a one of fee applies). This helps build a clear picture of the relationship patterns and where support is most needed.

The core work

Following the assessment, therapy focuses on strengthening communication, understanding conflict patterns, and helping couples rebuild connection, trust, and emotional safety. The work is practical and collaborative, offering tools that couples can use both inside and outside the therapy room.

Phasing out and ending

As the relationship begins to stabilise and improve, sessions usually become less frequent. The focus then shifts to helping couples maintain the progress they have made and continue using the skills they have developed.

Evaluating outcomes

Towards the end of therapy we review the changes that have taken place and reflect on the progress made in relation to the goals that were identified at the beginning of the work.

The length of therapy will depend on the needs of the couple and the goals they wish to achieve.

Before therapy begins, an initial consultation takes place to explain the process and explore whether the work feels suitable for both partners. This can be arranged online, face to face, or by telephone with both partners present.