Jonathan Wildman

Experience

I began training as a therapist in 2020, building on years of experience in social care and emotional support. I trained in the humanistic, person-centred approach, which focuses on empathy, authenticity, and understanding each person in their own terms.I work in a relational way, and draw on elements of other major therapeutic approaches, including gestalt, psychoanalytic, existential, narrative therapy, and CBT. 

Since then, I’ve worked with over 200 clients, offering both short-term and long-term therapy - from a few weeks to several years. My work has included supporting people with a wide range of issues, such as:

• Depression and low mood
• Anxiety and panic
• Low self-esteem and self-worth
• Trauma
• Relationship and family difficulties
• Life transitions, identity, and loss

I also have experience working with clients who have ADHD and those on the autistic spectrum.

I’ve worked across various settings:

• Training placements (online and in person), supporting adult clients
• A youth project, offering therapy to children and young people
• Continuing paid work with one of my placement organisations after qualification
• Running my own private practice, both online and in-person
• Working via an online therapeutic platform, with clients across the UK and internationally

I support clients from diverse backgrounds, including different cultures, nationalities, occupational backgrounds, and life experiences, as well as the LGBTQ+ community.

Therapy has also been personally meaningful for me. I’ve experienced what it’s like to be in a difficult place and to feel unsure about asking for help. That lived experience helps me bring a grounded, non-judgemental presence to my work.

My background before therapy

Before training as a therapist, I spent many years working in therapeutic social care and mental health settings, working with both children and adults. One of my most formative roles was working for seven years in a residential therapeutic community, supporting young people in significant emotional distress.

This role gave me valuable experience in:

• One-to-one emotional support
• Working within complex group dynamics
• Clinical supervision
• Psychoanalytic-informed group work

Alongside this, I pursued my interest in how social and cultural forces help shape our lives. This led me to further study:

• An MA in Cultural and Critical Theory at Brighton University.
• A PhD at the University of Essex, exploring the issue of regulation within the UK field of cousnelling and psychotherapy.
   

Therapy qualifications and professional membership

• MA (level 7) in Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice (Bath Spa University)
• Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (York Learning)
• PhD (level 8) in Government / Social Science (University of Essex). https://repository.essex.ac.uk/22652/
• Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

I work in line with BACP’s professional and ethical standards.

If you have any questions, please get in touch.