Jonathan Chant

I work with people as individuals rather than trying to fit them into a particular model or set of expectations. I believe that counselling begins with the quality of the relationship between us: feeling listened to, taken seriously and able to speak openly can itself be an important part of the work.

You may come to counselling knowing exactly what you want to explore, or you may simply know that something isn’t right. Perhaps you feel anxious, low, angry, overwhelmed or stuck. You may be struggling with a loss, a relationship, a difficult transition or a sense that you have become disconnected from yourself. You don’t need to have everything worked out before we begin.

My approach is primarily person-centred and relational. I will listen carefully to what you bring, without judgement, while helping you explore the thoughts, feelings and patterns that may be difficult to see when you are living with them. I won’t tell you what you should do or assume that I know you better than you know yourself. Instead, I aim to create the conditions in which you can begin to understand your experience more clearly and make choices that feel genuinely your own.

My training has also included Gestalt and Transactional Analysis, which I draw on when they are useful. These approaches can help us notice what is happening in the present moment, including the ways we relate to ourselves and to other people. I am interested not only in what you tell me, but in what it feels like to be you.

I bring considerable experience of working with adults through my career in education, alongside my counselling training and experience. This has given me a particular appreciation of the pressures, expectations and changes that can shape adult life.

Above all, I want counselling to be a space where you don’t have to perform, justify yourself or look after somebody else’s feelings. We can take things at your pace and start wherever you are.

I offer private counselling for adults who are experiencing a difficult period in their lives or simply feel that something needs to change.

My practice is based on the belief that counselling works best when there is a genuine sense of connection, trust and safety between counsellor and client. I offer a calm, confidential and non-judgemental space in which you can talk openly about whatever is troubling you, without having to present yourself in a particular way.

I work with a range of concerns, including anxiety, low mood, stress, anger, grief, guilt, relationship difficulties, self-esteem, life transitions and feeling stuck or disconnected. You do not need to have a diagnosis or a clearly defined problem to come to counselling. Sometimes the starting point is simply a feeling that you are struggling to make sense of things on your own.

I work primarily with adults and offer online counselling, making sessions accessible wherever you are in the UK. Sessions are normally weekly and last 50 minutes.

I hold a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and am a BACP Registered Counsellor. I am committed to ongoing professional development and work within the BACP Ethical Framework, with regular clinical supervision.

Before committing to ongoing counselling, I offer a free 30-minute initial conversation. This is an opportunity to meet, discuss what has brought you to counselling and ask any questions you may have. Most importantly, it gives us both a chance to consider whether we feel comfortable working together.

There is no pressure to continue. Finding the right counsellor matters, and sometimes the first step is simply having a conversation.

A chance to meet before you decide

I offer a free 30-minute first session. There is no expectation that you will commit to ongoing counselling.

It is simply an opportunity for us to meet, talk about what has brought you here, and get a sense of whether you feel comfortable talking with me.

You don’t need to prepare anything, and you don’t need to know exactly what you want from counselling. We can begin wherever feels right.