Jonathan Wilkes , BACP

Jonathan Wilkes is an integrative psychosynthesis counsellor based in central Bristol, United Kingdom, who has been working with people both online and face-to-face since 2018. He brings four years of direct counselling and psychotherapeutic experience alongside many additional years supporting adults and young people with complex mental health needs and learning difficulties. Jonathan works with a wide range of presenting issues, including depression, anxiety, anger, loss and grief, relationship difficulties, childhood trauma, self-esteem concerns, repetitive negative thoughts and behaviours, suicidal feelings and self-harm, eating disorders, emotional dysregulation and borderline personality difficulties, major life changes, and eco-anxiety.

He aims to create a warm, friendly and accepting atmosphere, listening deeply and attentively so people feel seen and understood. His practice is grounded in the core principles of empathy, congruence and unconditional acceptance - the therapeutic foundation he uses when meeting clients where they are and working at their pace. Jonathan places importance on the gradual development of trust through regular sessions, which can allow for greater honesty and for deeper material to be explored when the client is ready.

Psychosynthesis is central to his approach and is applied flexibly, drawing on techniques from other systems where helpful. He also uses tools from cognitive behavioural methods, existential and Gestalt ideas, breathing and meditation practices, and body-based awareness techniques. His qualifications include a Post-Graduate Diploma in Psychosynthesis from the Psychosynthesis Trust in London, a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from the University of the West of England, a 500-hour yoga teacher training certificate, a certificate in Regression Therapy, and a foundation qualification in Ayurvedic Astrology. He is associated with the BACP, the UK professional body for counselling and psychotherapy.

Therapeutic approaches for online sessions

Jonathan combines client-centred work with evidence-informed techniques to support people through change. Client-Centred Therapy focuses on providing empathic, non-judgemental listening and acceptance so clients can explore feelings and make their own choices; it is often helpful for issues like low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, and emotional overwhelm. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers practical strategies to identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, and repetitive negative thinking. Mindfulness Therapy introduces simple attention and breathing practices to help manage stress, increase present-moment awareness and reduce reactivity.

Finding the right approach is part of the work itself. Jonathan treats approach selection as a collaborative process, exploring a client’s needs, goals and preferences together and adapting methods as the work evolves so the therapy feels personally relevant.

Online therapy makes these approaches accessible through video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging, offering flexibility for people with busy schedules, mobility limits or those living at a distance. Working remotely allows licensed professionals and therapists to provide regular contact and tailored tools in ways that fit the client’s life and pace.