Professional Online Psychotherapy
John Wilding
(MA, PgDip, FdSc, MBACP Snr. Accred.)
Introduction: Finding the right online therapist
Online therapy can be a great way to explore therapy, bringing with it things like increased convenience and accessibility. Online sessions can also save time, and even save money (eg. by not having to travel).
At the same time, many worry therapy won't be as effective or helpful, which is an understandable concern. I too was doubtful in the beginning. Add to this how overwhelming it can feel, trying to choose from so many therapists online.
Here, it’s important to make sure your therapist is trained, qualified, insured, and registered with a recognised governing body for therapists.
To help you see how working online might feel, and to help you get a sense for what it might be like to work with me, I offer free 15 minute online consultations below.
Below, I’ve also included information about my credentials, including my training and my level of accreditation.
What is Online Psychotherapy?
Online therapy is a private, flexible way to access psychotherapy without needing to travel to a specific therapist’s consulting room. Online sessions allow us to work together therapeutically, wherever you are. These online session are very much the same as face-to-face psychotherapy sessions, except sessions take place online by video, or audio-only, rather than in the therapist’s consultation room.
Sessions take place at an agreed time. They can be booked ad hoc, via my online booking form, as and when is needed. Or, a regular slot can be agreed and booked in. Regularity can include weekly, fortnightly, monthly, or ad hoc.
I will work in very much the same way as I do in my face-to-face sessions, making any adaptations needed when working online. You can find out more about my approach here.
For many, working online offers a convenient and comfortable way to access psychotherapy.
Online Psychotherapy, Wherever You Are
I offer online counselling, psychotherapy, and cognitive behavioural therapy for people in Bristol, throughout the UK, and internationally.
Psychotherapy Online in Bristol
Though I am based in Bristol myself, working online means I can work with people who live in Bristol but can not attend face-to-face sessions in person.
Online Psychotherapy Across the UK
You don’t need to live in Bristol to work with me. I work online with clients throughout the UK, including places like Cambridge, London, and Oxford.
International Online Psychotherapy
I also work with people living outside the UK, including France, the US, and Ireland. If you are based overseas and are considering online psychotherapy, please get in touch to discuss further.
What to Expect When Starting Online Psychotherapy
Step 1: Get in Touch
If you’re considering therapy, a free 15 minute consultation is usually where most people want to start. You can book one of these in by either contacting me or via my online booking system below.
Step 2: We Arrange Sessions
After the free consult, if suitable, we’ll then agree an initial online session at a time that suits you.
Step 3: We Meet Online
We’ll the meet online via Zoom or Google Meet, from a place where you feel comfortable to talk openly. You don’t need to download any special software and sessions can take place on your preferred device, including mobile phone, PC, iPad.
Step 4: We Work Together
We’ll begin to explore our work together. You don’t need to make any commitment to a number of sessions either at the consultation or initial session stage. You’re in control.
What issues can online psychotherapy help with?
I am trained and experienced working in multiple ways online with complex mental health issues, including:
Anxiety
OCD
Intrusive Thoughts (Pure O)
Depression
Relationship difficulties
Feeling stuck
Social anxiety
Boarding School
PTSD and trauma
Bereavement or loss
Identity
Sexuality
Gender
Race
ADHD
Autism
Anger
High-achieving professionals
Adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse, neglect, abandonment, boarding school, and so on.
About me: John Wilding
Qualifications & Experience
I am a fully qualified and experienced private counsellor, psychotherapist, CBT therapist & clinical supervisor working in Bristol and online, locally, nationally, and internationally. I have over fifteen years experience working from a wide-range of therapeutic approaches with children, young people, and adults.
Find out more about:
My Approach
My main aim as a therapist is to offer an online space where you can recover your mental health as well as explore and develop your self and your life.
In my work, I use counselling, psychotherapy, low and high intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and creative approaches.
The way I work is tailored to you. Work might include exploring where you issues came from and building understanding. We might also look at what is keeping the issues going today. And also, we might look at ways to make changes in your life and support you to put those changes into practise.
My Professional Membership and Qualifications
BACP Senior Accreditation
I am a senior accredited (Snr Accred), registered member of the BACP, one of the leading membership bodies for psychotherapists in the UK. This is the highest level of registration possible in the BACP, with only around 3% of members gaining this level of accreditation. What this means is that I have evidenced to the BACP my experience, qualifications, training, and competency in working with complex mental health presentations, risk, psychopathology, difference and diversity, and research.
See my about me page for more info.
Education
My education includes a foundation degree in science (FdSc) in counselling and psychotherapy from Bristol University, a post-graduate certificate (PGCert) in low intensity CBT and a post-graduate diploma (PGDip) in high intensity CBT for adults and children from Exeter University. I also have a Masters (MA) in Buddhist Studies from Bristol University.
Online Memberships
I am a member of The Counselling Directory, Psychology Today, and of course, The BACP, all of which verify my qualifications and accredited membership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Choose Online Psychotherapy?
For some people, online therapy is just more convenient. No travel to and from the therapist’s consultation room, and sessions can fit around your life. Working online can open up your options when it comes to which therapist you can work with, as you are no longer limited to your immediate locale. It can be particularly useful for people who travel frequently, or, who, for whatever reason, find it difficult to travel outside their immediate location.
Is it the same as face-to-face therapy?
Working online maintains the most important elements of face-to-face therapy, namely the importance of the relationship between the client and the therapist, a space where you can speak openly, feel listened to, explore what’s going on for you, and learn and try out new skills.
Where can I have online psychotherapy?
You can have your sessions from anywhere that provides a private and suitable space for therapy. This includes at your home, work, or outside if you wish. Ideally the space is private, free from interruption, and somewhere you feel comfortable and safe.
How long is a session?
Sessions usually last 50 minutes, but this is adaptable to you. If you want longer or shorter sessions, we can make that work.
How often would we meet?
Most clients meet weekly or fortnightly, although this can vary according to your circumstances and what we are working on together. Monthly sessions is also an option. Another option is ad hoc sessions that you can book as and when you wish, using my online booking system (LINK). You don’t have to sessions at the same day or time every week.
What happens if I'm not sure whether therapy is right for me?
You don't need to know before you get in touch. We can talk about what you're looking for and whether psychotherapy might be helpful. Also, whether you are at the free consult, initial session, or a few sessions into therapy, there’s no obligation to continue. You’re in control.
What if I don’t know what my issue is?
Your don’t need to know what you are struggling with before seeking therapy. We can figure that out together.
How can I choose the right online therapist for me?
Choosing the right therapist is a very personal matter, and is often about finding the right fit for you. That’s why I offer free 15 minute consults, to help you get a real sense of me and how we might work. That said, it’s also good to make sure your therapist is qualified, trained, and experienced in the area you want to work with. Also, make sure the therapist is registered, and make sure they are registered with one of the major governing bodies for counsellors or psychotherapists, such as UKCP or BACP, in the UK. When you do this, check their level of accreditation: register (called “column A” in some places), accredited (“column B”), or senior accredited (‘column C”).
Can I have psychotherapy if I live outside the UK?
I work with some international clients online. There can be professional and legal considerations when providing psychotherapy across national borders, so please contact me (LINK) or book a free consult (LINK) to discuss.
What happens if I have technical problems?
Minor technical problems occasionally happen with online sessions. If your connection drops, we'll simply try to reconnect. I'll explain the practical arrangements when we begin working together.