Professional Face to Face Psychotherapy
John Wilding
(MA, PgDip, FdSc, MBACP Snr. Accred.)
Introduction: Finding the right in-person therapist
The standard way of exploring in-person therapy is in an office with a few armchairs, bringing with it things like a consistent location, increased privacy and neutral territory. My way of doing in-person sessions also brings all this things, but also, offers the the power of nature, and the opportunity to move and explore an open space.
Dundry Village Hall and Community Field is located just South of Bristol, on the northern Mendip Hills. It’s a short, 20 minutes drive from central Bristol, and is well-known for it’s panoramic views of Bristol and Chew, and it’s rural, countryside feel.
To help ask any questions you might have about working in-person with me at this location might feel, and to help you get a sense for what it might be like to work with me as a therapist, I offer free 15 minute online consultations below.
Below, I’ve also included more information about the location, my credentials, including my training and my level of accreditation.
Location: Dundry Community Field
Dundry community field is located behind Dundry Village Hall, and is a outdoor, spacious location surrounded by countryside. Online therapy is a private, flexible way to access psychotherapy without needing to travel to a specific therapist’s consulting room.
The location offers us shelter in the rain, shade in the sun, and various benches and seat spots to choose from, and is usually very quiet during the day.
There are also walks we can from this location that offer panoramic views of Bristol and Chew.
Outdoor sessions like this offer the same depth of work as standard therapy rooms, while also bring the power of nature, movement, fresh air to the work.
Online sessions allow us to work together therapeutically, no matter the weather, as we have options if it’s too hot, cold, or storm (see below).
As with standard in-person therapy, 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 online, making any adaptations needed when working outdoor, including making use of nature and the elements, if that’s helps you.
You can find out more about my approach here.
For many, working in-person and outdoors in this way offers all teh benefits of therapy in an office, while also bringing the benefits of being in nature, and being able to move and explore.
What to Expect When Starting Face to Face 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 in-person session at a time that suits you.
Step 3: We Meet At Dundry Village Hall & Community Field
We’ll the meet at the location and get used to the surroundings, finding somewhere nice to sit that you like. You don’t need to bring anything except appropriate clothing.
Step 4: We Start 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 in-person, outdoor 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
Boarding school
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.
Being in nature, and being able to move, can really help with many of the above issues, including trauma.
About me: John Wilding
Qualifications & Experience
I am a fully qualified, insured, and experienced private counsellor, psychotherapist, CBT therapist & clinical supervisor working in Dundry, 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 a therapeutic space in nature 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, eco-therapy 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.
From time to time, if you find it useful, we might use the natural activity around us (birds, weather, trees, the seasonal changes) as ways to explore what’s going on for you.
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 Outdoor, Face to Face Psychotherapy?
For some people, outdoor, face to face therapy is just better. The open space and natural environment can help relax us and help us open up. Working in this way also opens up the chance to move, and explore, and even use the natural environment as part of the work. It can be particularly useful for people who what to get away from the normal location and go somewhere new, or more natural. It’s also useful for people who can’t do online sessions, due to privacy or connection issues.
Is it the same as normal face-to-face therapy in an office room?
Working outdoor 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 this outdoor, in-person psychotherapy?
Sessions are at Dundry Village Hall and Community Field, Dundry. 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.
How can I make the most of my online sessions ?
For some top tech tips on what you can do to make the most of your sessions, you can visit the tech tips for online sessions page.