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Starting to see clients for the first time can feel surprisingly nerve-wracking. In this video I share some reflections on how to steady yourself in those early sessions and what really matters when you first sit down with a client.

I talk about four foundations you can rest on: what you already bring as a person, the active role of the client, the power of the relationship between you, and the wider support that holds you as a therapist. I think a helpful aim isn’t to perform or impress, but to create a safe, attentive human connection.

If you’re just beginning to see clients, or about to start, I hope this offers some reassurance and perspective.

🎯 1:1 Mentoring & Consultancy

Thinking about changing career to become a therapist? Already qualified and wanting to start up a private therapy practice? In private practice and looking to grow? Or maybe you're curious about sharing your voice on YouTube? I offer supportive, one-to-one mentoring on career change and becoming a therapist, starting and building a private practice, and creating meaningful content on YouTube. All the details are on my website: (https://www.thistrustedplace.co.uk)

✅ If you're thinking about exploring therapy generally, I’d love to hear from you and you’re very welcome to get in touch with me via my website (https://www.thistrustedplace.co.uk) to find out more or to arrange an initial conversation.

🎁 My FREE personal development course Life Unlimited: 10 Steps to Real Change is now available on this channel in a playlist on the homepage.

Whether you’re looking to move through anxiety, stress, depression, chronic anger, addictive behaviour, co-dependency, narcissism, low self-esteem/confidence, relationship problems, feeling stuck, lost or lacking in purpose – or simply want to experience more happiness, contentment and fulfilment in your life – this course is carefully designed to help you do just that.

Life Unlimited Course testimonials include:

"John-Paul's course Life Unlimited more than lives up to its promise as a practical and accessible guide to making meaningful, positive changes in your life. He takes you on a clear path towards self-awareness and self-acceptance, helping you to set healthy boundaries in your relationships with others."

"The course is packed with valuable content, yet John-Paul's warm, non-judgemental style makes it feel more as if a friend is sharing some wonderful wisdom. 100% recommend."

Support the show

If there’s anything else you’d like to know about John-Paul and how he might be able to help you, please do contact him via his website www.thistrustedplace.co.uk

Send us a text

Human Connection in a Digital World

In this video, I’m sharing a practice version of a talk I gave for Rail Wellbeing Live on one of the most important foundations of good mental health: connection. After 15 years as a therapist, I’ve come to see connection, to ourselves, to others, and to the wider world, as central to wellbeing, meaning, and resilience.

In this talk, I look at:
• Why connection is vital for both mental and physical health
• Why so many people feel increasingly disconnected, despite knowing this
• How our survival, reward, and connection systems shape the way we relate
• Practical ways to strengthen connection with ourselves
• How digital media, social media, and AI can both support and undermine connection
• The role of face-to-face relationships, nature, and small moments of human contact

This is a reflective, practical talk rather than a polished studio video, shared here for anyone interested in wellbeing, mental health, and how we stay human in an increasingly digital world.

If you find this helpful, it would mean a lot if you could like the video, subscribe to the channel, or share it with someone who might benefit. It really helps the channel grow and supports me in making more content like this.

✅ If you're thinking about exploring therapy generally, I’d love to hear from you and you’re very welcome to get in touch with me via my website (https://www.thistrustedplace.co.uk) to find out more or to arrange an initial conversation.

🎯 1:1 Mentoring & Consultancy
Thinking about changing career to become a therapist? Already qualified and wanting to start up a private therapy practice? In private practice and looking to grow? Or maybe you’re curious about sharing your voice on YouTube? I offer supportive, one-to-one mentoring on career change and becoming a therapist, starting and building a private practice, and creating meaningful content on YouTube. All the details are on my website: (https://www.thistrustedplace.co.uk)

🎁 My FREE personal development course 'Life Unlimited: 10 Steps to Real Change' is now available on this channel in a playlist on the homepage.
Whether you’re looking to move through anxiety, stress, depression, chronic anger, addictive behaviour, co-dependency, narcissism, low self-esteem/confidence, relationship problems, feeling stuck, lost or lacking in purpose – or simply want to experience more happiness, contentment and fulfilment in your life – this course is carefully designed to help you do just that.

‘Life Unlimited’ Course testimonials include:
"John-Paul's course Life Unlimited more than lives up to its promise as a practical and accessible guide to making meaningful, positive changes in your life. He takes you on a clear path towards self-awareness and self-acceptance, helping you to set healthy boundaries in your relationships with others."
"The course is packed with valuable content, yet John-Paul's warm, non-judgemental style makes it feel more as if a friend is sharing some wonderful wisdom. 100% recommend."

📹 For more videos on general mental health topics, here's my playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbzuc1SEOTxgkW-m76gMYwIEq_IZUv8sl

Support the show

If there’s anything else you’d like to know about John-Paul and how he might be able to help you, please do contact him via his website www.thistrustedplace.co.uk

Send us a text

Thinking about a career change? If you’ve been wondering whether it’s possible to leave a job that isn’t fulfilling and explore something completely new, like becoming a therapist, this video is for you. I share clips from my own journey, plus insights from people making the change right now, to help you feel more ready to take that first step.

This video is a compilation of some of the most helpful moments from my videos on career change and therapist training, alongside reflections from people who are currently on that path themselves.

We talk about:
– What draws people towards becoming a therapist
– The emotional and psychological side of training
– The importance of self-development, not just theory
– Fear, doubt, and how not to let them dominate decisions
– Why this path can feel like coming home and coming alive

If you’re feeling stuck, unfulfilled, or quietly wondering whether there’s something more meaningful for you, I hope this video helps you listen to that part of yourself that’s already moving you forward.

I’d really love to hear about your own experience or where you are on your journey, so please do feel free to comment below.

Playlist containing at the full videos here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbzuc1SEOTxjNIi7jqHqNHDcaHqhApCoN

🎯 1:1 Mentoring & Consultancy

Thinking about changing career to become a therapist? Already qualified and wanting to start up a private therapy practice? In private practice and looking to grow? Or maybe you're curious about sharing your voice on YouTube? I offer supportive, one-to-one mentoring on career change and becoming a therapist, starting and building a private practice, and creating meaningful content on YouTube. All the details are on my website: (https://www.thistrustedplace.co.uk)

✅ If you're thinking about exploring therapy generally, I’d love to hear from you and you’re very welcome to get in touch with me via my website (https://www.thistrustedplace.co.uk) to find out more or to arrange an initial conversation.

🎁 My FREE personal development course 'Life Unlimited: 10 Steps to Real Change' is now available on this channel in a playlist on the homepage.

Whether you’re looking to move through anxiety, stress, depression, chronic anger, addictive behaviour, co-dependency, narcissism, low self-esteem/confidence, relationship problems, feeling stuck, lost or lacking in purpose – or simply want to experience more happiness, contentment and fulfilment in your life – this course is carefully designed to help you do just that.

💬 ‘Life Unlimited’ Course testimonials include:

"John-Paul's course Life Unlimited more than lives up to its promise as a practical and accessible guide to making meaningful, positive changes in your life. He takes you on a clear path towards self-awareness and self-acceptance, helping you to set healthy boundaries in your relationships with others."

"The course is packed with valuable content, yet John-Paul's warm, non-judgemental style makes it feel more as if a friend is sharing some wonderful wisdom. 100% recommend."

Support the show

If there’s anything else you’d like to know about John-Paul and how he might be able to help you, please do contact him via his website www.thistrustedplace.co.uk