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John McGuirk

Who am I?

Hi! My name’s John.

I studied art after school, and philosophy in my early twenties. After that, I travelled, backpacking around South East Asia for nine months and living in Japan for three years. There, I learned a lot about different eastern psychological practices, especially different forms of meditation. When I moved back to Bristol I did a Masters in Buddhist Studies in Bristol University before going on to learn a range of counselling and psycho-therapeutic approaches over the next ten years.

From a very early age I journalled as form of self-support, and enjoyed creative writing, and still do so to this day.

I continue to explore the human mind using various mindfulness practises, rituals, and creative techniques.

I’ve always been interested in the mind, creativity and difference.

My Approach

After exploring a range of different approaches to helping people with mental health recovery and personal growth, I’ve become really passionate about some key aspects of therapy.

The first is creating a space where a person can feel absolutely free to express whatever it is that is going on for them in that moment - no expectations, no judgements. I personally believe if we can fully embrace what it is that’s going on for us here, now, then in that moment we can move forward and grow.

The second is finding ways to use the power of creativity and imagination to unlock the hidden wisdom of our own minds. This can be a really powerful, mysterious, and life-changing process. It’s also a wonderful skill for people to bring to their daily lives, and personally it has changed my life.

Third, combined with imagination, using certain practices or rituals can truly transform our selves, our lives, and our relationships. For tens of thousands of years we’ve used such rituals to help us explore, discover, and grow, and many of these practices can still be used therapeutically today.

My Work Experience

I have worked in mental health for over a decade. I worked full-time at Positive Step, North Somerset as a counsellor for adults, and then worked at Off the Record, Bristol as a therapist for young people, a supervisor for therapists, and a Team Leader, project developer, and trainer in the organisation. In the past, I also worked for Swiis Healthcare, Bristol as a senior support worker, helping adults with learning difficulties, and before that I worked as a care assistant for BUPA Healthcare in a Bristol Nursing Home alongside people living with dementia.

As well as having an established private practice for counselling and supervision, I worked for Young Somerset as a freelance Clinical Director. and supervised advocates at Bristol Mind as an external supervisor. I’ve also offered mentoring & supervision for NHS practitioners using ProReal in the NHS.

I have and currently offer clinical supervision to on-site therapists at Richard Huish College, The Nelson Trust, City of Bristol College, Young Somerset, St. Peter’s Hospice, St. Mungo’s, ProReal, Bristol Mind, and Off the Record.

If you want more details on this you can visit my LinkedIn Profile here.

Some areas of counselling I have experience with:

(You can click the highlighted issues for a related article I have written on the topic:)

My Academic Qualifications

  • FdSc Counselling Degree at City of Bristol College

  • Post-Graduate Certificate in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) at Exeter University

  • Post-Graduate Diploma in IAPT High Intensity CBT (incl. specialist training in working with Children & Young People)

  • Masters Degree in Buddhist Studies at Bristol University

  • IAPT Low Intensity Master Class in Working with Long-Term Health Conditions at Exeter University

  • BPS Certificate in Supervision

  • BPS approved Multidisciplinary Supervision Training

My Affiliations and Governing Bodies