John Phelan, BACP

John Phelan is a counsellor with 15 years of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety and family tensions. He works with individuals dealing with grief, low self-esteem and difficulties finding direction in work or life. He aims to treat people with respect, sensitivity and compassion from the first conversation.

He adapts the way he talks and plans sessions to fit each person's situation. That could mean focusing on short-term steps to relieve pressure or looking more deeply at patterns that keep repeating. Sessions are practical and down to earth, with clear goals agreed together.

John draws on client-centred work to make sure people feel heard and understood. He also uses psychodynamic ideas to look at past relationships that still influence feelings today. Solution-focused techniques help build small, manageable changes that make day-to-day life easier.

Over his career he has supported men struggling with midlife change, people wrestling with identity and gender questions, and those feeling isolated or overwhelmed. He also offers help around parenting roles, communication problems and career choices. John has experience with autism and Asperger syndrome and understands how that can affect relationships and self-view.

People who prefer a gentle, listening style combined with practical steps tend to find his approach useful. He works in English and accepts international clients. Getting started involves a short matching questionnaire and arranging sessions that fit the client's routine.

Therapeutic approaches and online sessions

John draws on client-centred work, which focuses on listening and building understanding so a person feels heard and valued; this suits people who need a calm place to make sense of feelings. He also uses psychodynamic ideas to look at how past relationships and early patterns can shape current reactions, which can help when issues keep recurring. Solution-focused therapy is used to set concrete, short-term goals and create practical steps that bring quick relief.

Choosing the right approach is something to do together. The therapist will discuss your needs, goals and preferences and then try an approach that fits. If something doesn’t feel helpful, adjustments are made so the work stays collaborative and goal-orientated.

Online sessions offer practical flexibility. Video calls let you use visual cues and maintain eye contact, phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or for shorter check-ins, and live chat or text messaging can suit people who prefer writing or need support between appointments. These options make it easier to fit counselling around work, family life and travel, while keeping the focus on progress and accessibility.