John Courtney, BACP

John Courtney is a BACP-registered counsellor in the United Kingdom with four years of clinical practice. He works with adults who are struggling with stress, anxiety, anger, grief, relationship strain and related life changes. Sessions focus on understanding what is bothering someone and practical ways to manage those feelings.

He begins by building a trusting, straightforward relationship. That relationship is used to look at where feelings come from and how they affect day-to-day life. He listens without judgement and encourages exploration of patterns that keep problems repeating.

John uses an integrative approach, drawing on psychodynamic ideas alongside client-centred practice. That means he pays attention to past experiences and current life circumstances while keeping the work grounded in the present. He also uses solution-focused techniques to help identify small, realistic steps forward.

People who have experienced trauma, relationship breakdown, work or family stress, depression, grief or issues linked to LGBT identity are within his usual remit. He often works with people who feel a general unease and cannot name one cause.

His experience includes helping people notice recurring emotional habits and trying new ways of responding. He says his own experience of having been in therapy informs how he supports others. Practical aims tend to include reducing reactivity, improving communication and finding clearer ways to manage everyday pressures.

How his approaches translate to online work