I began my psycho-therapeutic journey in 1977, started training in 1979, got involved with Spectrum (London) in 1981, where as well as being a practitioner I was part of the Staff Team for seven years. I then moved to the South West in 1999 and in 2001 co-funded the Alma Vale Centre, where I worked till 2016.

After over thirty years of practising psychotherapy, seeing individuals, couples, and running groups, I now l define what I do as “Reflective Conversations”, which I see as a melange of psychotherapy and mentoring.  I am finding that this way of working, by not being solely defined and tied to the psychotherapy label, allows me to be more experimental. I aim to bring together all sorts of influences, what I am learning from life, my experience as a Humanistic Psychotherapist, my involvement in the Sufi Way, other healing modalities, as well as political and environmental concerns. My principal strengths, and my weaknesses, are that I am quite directive, enjoy telling stories and anecdotes, sometimes talk too much.

I see myself as “semi retired” – I am available on a fortnightly basis and I also take frequent, sometimes long, holidays. I work both on zoom, WhatsApp and in person. If you decide to contact me we will have an initial contact by phone or zoom (for which I do not charge) and mutually decide whether I refer you to someone who is more available, or we keep on meeting. What I principally enjoy about my work is the exploration of behaviour patterns, the deepening of relationship, the willingness to question, to challenge and be challenged. I am only willing to see people who “touch my heart” and who are willing to engage on a heart as well as mind levels.

My consulting room is in Brunswick Square  above the Unitarian Meeting Hall

Full address:

THE UNITARIAN MEETING HALL

BRUNSWICK SQUARE

BS2 8PE

How to find me: If this is your first time, please enter through the black gate and you will see my name (John) on the bell on the door saying the Clifton Psychology Company. I will buzz you in and come down  to meet you, if you have any problems please text or ring my mobile. 

Transport: The room is situated very conveniently for the centre of Bristol and Bristol Temple Meads Station, Bristol Bus Station and Cabot Circus.  From the Centre or from Temple Meads catch any bus that goes to Cabot Circus, then walk up York Street or Gloucester Street to Brunswick Square.

Parking: There are plenty of parking meters in Brunswick Square and the adjoining Portland Square as well as the surrounding streets. You can also park in the nearby St James Barton NCP and Cabot Circus car parks then walk up York Street into the Square.