This Trusted Place with John-Paul Davies: Mental Health, Therapy & Becoming a Therapist

Hosted by John-Paul Davies

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Episodes

115

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

🎙️ Welcome to This Trusted Place with John-Paul Davies Honest conversations and reflections on mental health, emotional wellbeing, and the realities of becoming and being a therapist in private practice. Whether you're a therapist, aspiring to become one, or simply someone curious about the inner world of emotional growth and healing, this podcast offers grounded insights and personal stories that connect. Hosted by John-Paul Davies, a former City solicitor who retrained as a psychotherapist in 2007, the show explores: Changing careers into therapy What it’s really like being a therapist and making a living as a helping professional Mental health and emotional wellbeing topics inc. relationships, narcissism, trauma, navigating imposter syndrome and burnout, boundaries, self-worth and growth Bisexuality 🔗 Watch the video versions on YouTube: youtube.com/@JohnPaulDaviesTTP 🌐 More about John-Paul: thistrustedplace.co.uk If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe and leave a rating or review — it makes a big difference. Thank you for listening.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

September 10, 2026Episode 818 min

S12 | E8 Can You Make a Living as a Therapist? The Reality of Private Practice

Send us Fan Mail Can you actually make a living as a counsellor or therapist in private practice? This video comes from a question I was asked by someone who loves counselling but is considering further training and needs around £40,000 a year in income. Her concern was whether private practice can provide a reliable enough income and whether building a practice is partly down to luck. I look at what earning £40,000 might mean in practice, including the number of clients you might need, hourly rates, holidays and turnover. I also talk about the things you can't control when you're running a private practice and the many things you can influence. We look at: • How many clients you might need to earn around £40,000 • Why qualifying as a therapist doesn't guarantee an income • How private practice can become more predictable over time • Finding clients through websites, directories, networking and social media • Developing a reputation and particular area of expertise • The importance of confidence when you're starting out • Why comparing yourself with other therapists can be unhelpful • Building a practice that is sustainable rather than simply seeing as many clients as possible • How to think about the number of clients, hourly rate and income you actually need My experience is that it is absolutely possible to make a sustainable living from private practice, but nobody can guarantee what you will earn. There are things outside our control, but there are also many things we can do to increase the likelihood of building the practice we want. If you're thinking about becoming a counsellor or therapist, changing career, or starting a private practice, I'd love to hear your experience and questions in the comments. I also have other videos about setting up and developing a private practice, including a more detailed look at the numbers involved in earning £100,000. Other videos mentioned in this video: How Much Can Therapists Actually Earn? | Can You Make £100k as a Counsellor or Psychotherapist?: https://youtu.be/xUb3E9U5oXk Why I Changed from Being A Lawyer to A Therapist/Counsellor: https://youtu.be/84CKgb-YuGc How I Found Therapy Clients (Therapist Private Practice Tips): https://youtu.be/PXwaHiXBx4I How I Started My Private Practice (Therapist/Counsellor Private Practice Tips): https://youtu.be/lZCBWF2tX1c How I Found The Confidence To Leave Corporate Life and Become A Therapist: https://youtu.be/T5sGJ-IedFI What They Don't Teach You About Running a Therapy Practice: https://youtu.be/6CrL0Hq3I2Q 🌐 Website: (https://www.thistrustedplace.co.uk) If you find this video helpful, please do LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE for more content like this. It really helps the channel and means a lot, thank you! 🎯 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 anything in this video resonates with you or brings up something you'd like to explore further and you're thinking about therapy, I'd love to hear from you. 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 book *Finding a Balanced Connection* is available on Amazon here: https://mybook.to/Z8i2 **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 free course is carefully designed to help you do 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.” and “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.” Flickpie – Video Production & YouTube Growth Email: hello@flickpie.com Website: www.flickpie.com 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

September 7, 2026Episode 722 min

S12 | E7 “Everybody Wants to Be a Therapist — But Should They?” (GQ Magazine)

Send us Fan Mail Following the recent article in GQ Magazine “Everybody wants to be a therapist - but should they?”, in this video, I explore some of the qualities I think matter in becoming a good therapist, and some of the things that can get in the way of developing and maintaining good therapeutic relationships. I talk about empathy, feelings and emotional awareness, the relationship between thinking and feeling, and why having strong feelings or having experienced difficult things doesn't necessarily mean we have deep empathy for others. I also look at therapy training itself: the importance of developing a clear therapeutic framework, the culture and ethos of training institutions, and why it's worth thinking carefully about where you choose to train. Finally, I talk about what it means to be human and why I don't think being human necessarily means being messy or chaotic, or that we should become identified with our wounds. These are my reflections based on my own experience, and I'd really like to hear what you think. What qualities do you think are important in a good therapist? And should everyone who wants to become a therapist actually do it? If you're considering therapy training, already in training, or have been working as a therapist for years, I'd love to hear your perspective. Videos mentioned: 5 Great Reasons to Become a Therapist: https://youtu.be/IEnZOU75FHw 5 Reasons Why I Love Being a Therapist: https://youtu.be/qvUrvcXjwno Am I Cut Out for This?: https://youtu.be/bv5sDWM-7TI Should You Become a Therapist?: https://youtu.be/q0FT3jEKjXI The Hard Parts of Being a Therapist: https://youtu.be/SVlXtUfSoOU The Cons of Being a Therapist: https://youtu.be/cOYTKMFWsG8 🌐 Website: (https://www.thistrustedplace.co.uk) If you find this video helpful, please do LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE for more content like this. It really helps the channel and means a lot, thank you! 🎯 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 anything in this video resonates with you or brings up something you'd like to explore further and you're thinking about therapy, I'd love to hear from you. 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 book *Finding a Balanced Connection* is available on Amazon here: https://mybook.to/Z8i2 **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 free course is carefully designed to help you do 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.” and “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

August 25, 2026Episode 646 min

S12 | E6 ADHD, Addiction & Finding Myself After Alan Carr: Paul Drayton

Send us Fan Mail In this deeply personal interview, Paul Drayton opens up about his journey through ADHD, addiction, recovery and the process of finally discovering his authentic self. Paul reflects on his life in the public eye, his marriage to Alan Carr, his friendship with Adele and the challenges of finding his own identity while being the partner of a hugely successful public figure. He also talks openly about his late ADHD diagnosis and how understanding himself better changed the way he viewed his past. In this video, we discuss: Paul's experience with ADHD and addiction. His journey through recovery and mental health challenges. Life and identity during his marriage to Alan Carr, including his friendship with the music artist Adele. People-pleasing and learning to put himself first. Finding self-compassion and his authentic self. Resilience, recovery and what comes next. Paul is the author of Ride or Die Trying, with profits from the book going to dog charities. Paul's Instagram: @pauldrayton1 Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ride-Trying-before-during-laughter/dp/1918428441 🎧 Podcast version of this video: (http://www.buzzsprout.com/2067601) 🌐 Website: (https://www.thistrustedplace.co.uk) If you find this video helpful, please do LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE for more content like this. It really helps the channel and means a lot, thank you! ✅ If anything in this video resonates with you or brings up something you'd like to explore further and you're thinking about therapy, I'd love to hear from you. 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 book *Finding a Balanced Connection* is available on Amazon here: (https://mybook.to/Z8i2) **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 free course is carefully designed to help you do 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."* and *"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

August 11, 2026Episode 555 min

S12 | E5 What They Don't Teach You About Running a Therapy Practice

Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to build a private therapy practice that you can sustain for years? There are lots of things we learn during psychotherapy training, but there are also many practical realities of being a therapist that we only discover once we're actually doing the job. In this conversation, I'm joined again by psychotherapist Lindsay Percival to talk about what it takes to build a therapy practice that is sustainable, both professionally and personally. We talk about therapist burnout, managing your caseload, setting boundaries, choosing the right clients, trusting your intuition, the importance of assessment and supervision, self-care, money, administration and managing your diary. We also discuss some of the myths around being a psychotherapist, including the idea that we should have endless amounts of empathy, compassion and emotional availability. Lindsay talks openly about her own experience of burnout and why learning to understand your own limits is so important if you want to do this work well over the long term. This is particularly aimed at people considering becoming therapists, trainees, newly qualified therapists and those setting up or developing a private practice, but there is plenty here for more experienced therapists too. 🎧 Podcast version of this video: (http://www.buzzsprout.com/2067601) 🌐 Website: (https://www.thistrustedplace.co.uk) If you find this video helpful, please do LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE for more content like this. It really helps the channel and means a lot, thank you! 🎯 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 anything in this video resonates with you or brings up something you'd like to explore further and you're thinking about therapy, I'd love to hear from you. 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 book *Finding a Balanced Connection* is available on Amazon here: https://mybook.to/Z8i2 **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 free course is carefully designed to help you do 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.” and “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

August 6, 2026Episode 446 min

S12 | E4 Do I Have to Explore My Bisexuality?

Send us Fan Mail If you've recently realised you're bisexual while in a long-term relationship, one question often comes up: "Do I have to explore this?" In this clip, coach and author Rob Brooks Cohen explains why there's no one-size-fits-all answer. For some people, exploration feels important. For others, simply understanding and accepting their sexuality is enough. The real question isn't what everyone else does, it's what's right for you, your relationship and your values. Watch the full conversation for a much deeper discussion on bisexuality, mixed-orientation relationships, authenticity and self-acceptance. 🎧 Podcast version of this video: (http://www.buzzsprout.com/2067601) 🌐 Website: (https://www.thistrustedplace.co.uk) If you find this video helpful, please do LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE for more content like this. It really helps the channel and means a lot, thank you! ✅ If anything in this video resonates with you or brings up something you'd like to explore further and you're thinking about therapy, I'd love to hear from you. 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 book *Finding a Balanced Connection* is available on Amazon here: (https://mybook.to/Z8i2) **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 free course is carefully designed to help you do 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."* and *"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."* #Bisexuality #Relationships #Marriage #MentalHealth #Therapy #LGBTQ 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

July 28, 2026Episode 347 min

S12 | E3 Porn and Sex Addiction: Recovery, Relationships & What Actually Works | Dr Paula Hall

Send us Fan Mail How do you know when sexual behaviour has become an addiction rather than a healthy expression of sexuality? Why do some people find pornography or compulsive sexual behaviour so difficult to stop? And what actually helps people recover? In this conversation, I'm joined by *Dr Paula Hall*, one of the UK's leading specialists in *porn addiction, sex addiction and compulsive sexual behaviour*. Drawing on more than 30 years' experience as a psychotherapist, Paula explains why porn addiction develops, the role of attachment and trauma, why shame and secrecy keep people stuck, and the practical, evidence-based approaches that help people recover from porn addiction and rebuild healthy relationships. We also explore the impact of addiction on partners and relationships, including betrayal trauma, rebuilding trust, therapeutic disclosure, forgiveness and what gives couples the best chance of moving forward together. Whether you're struggling with pornography or compulsive sexual behaviour yourself, trying to understand a partner's behaviour, rebuilding trust after betrayal, or you're simply interested in the psychology of addiction, relationships and recovery, I hope you'll find this conversation both helpful and thought-provoking. **In this interview we discuss:** • Porn addiction and sex addiction • Compulsive sexual behaviour (CSBD) • Healthy sexuality versus addictive behaviour • Why pornography can become addictive • Attachment, trauma and emotional regulation • Shame, secrecy and honesty in recovery • Why the digital world makes pornography harder to escape • Practical strategies to overcome compulsive behaviours • Group therapy and accountability • Betrayal trauma and relationship recovery • How couples rebuild trust after addiction • Therapeutic disclosure versus "full disclosure" • Supporting a partner through addiction recovery • Sexuality, sexual orientation and recovery • Whether abstinence is always the best approach Dr Paula Hall's links For affordable, anonymous, professional self-help: (https://pivotalrecovery.org) For therapy, assessments and group recovery programmes: (https://thelaurelcentre.co.uk) 🌐 Website: (https://www.thistrustedplace.co.uk) If you find this helpful, please do LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE for more content like this. It really helps the channel and means a lot, thank you! ✅ If anything in this video resonates with you or brings up something you'd like to explore further and you're thinking about therapy, I'd love to hear from you. 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 book *Finding a Balanced Connection* is available on Amazon here: (https://mybook.to/Z8i2) **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 free course is carefully designed to help you do 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."* and *"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

July 15, 2026Episode 223 min

S12 | E2 Beyond Instagram: How YouTube Attracts Therapy Clients (And Grows Your Practice)

Send us Fan Mail Tired of the "post and disappear" cycle of traditional social media? I talk in this video about why I think YouTube is the most sustainable way to grow an aligned therapy practice and connect with the right clients. I share my journey of moving beyond short-form platforms to build a sustainable presence on YouTube, covering the unique benefits for mental health professionals, including: • Why YouTube’s search power (and connection to Google) gives you huge visibility • How long-form content helps clients feel connected before they even meet you • Why YouTube is a slower burn, but far more sustainable than Instagram • How to use YouTube as part of a wider ecosystem (website, directories, podcasts, social media) • The role of AI, search, and community in growing your reach • How YouTube can lead to multiple income streams (clients, talks, mentoring, collaborations) • The personal and professional growth that comes with creating a channel and posting consistently • What I wish I’d known before starting (including unpredictability, consistency, and visibility) More than half of my clients now come through YouTube and, more importantly, it’s enabled me to build a practice that feels aligned and sustainable. 🌐 Website: (https://www.thistrustedplace.co.uk) If you find this video helpful, please do LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE for more content like this. It really helps the channel and means a lot, thank you! 🎯 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 anything in this video resonates with you or brings up something you'd like to explore further and you're thinking about therapy, I'd love to hear from you. 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 book *Finding a Balanced Connection* is available on Amazon here: https://mybook.to/Z8i2 **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 free course is carefully designed to help you do 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.” and “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

July 8, 2026Episode 117 min

S12 | E1 Are We All a Little Bit Narcissistic?

Send us Fan Mail When we think about narcissism, our attention is often drawn to the more extreme end of the spectrum - grandiose narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder. But what if there is also a more ordinary, everyday form of narcissism that many of us experience without even realising it? In this video, I explore the idea that our natural drive for survival and status can lead us to become self-centred in ways that affect both ourselves and our relationships. Rather than focusing solely on identifying narcissism in other people, I also consider the role of empathy, self-awareness and our capacity to recognise narcissistic traits within ourselves. I also introduce a simple exercise that may help you reflect on the depth of your own empathy and whether there are times when curiosity about others gives way to judgement or condemnation. My hope is that this offers a more balanced and compassionate way of thinking about narcissism that helps us better understand ourselves as well as the people around us. If you find this video helpful, please do LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE for more content like this. It really helps the channel and means a lot, thank you! ✅ If anything in this video resonates with you or brings up something you'd like to explore further and you're thinking about therapy, I'd love to hear from you. 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 book *Finding a Balanced Connection* is available on Amazon here: https://mybook.to/Z8i2 **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 free course is carefully designed to help you do 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.” and “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

June 18, 2026Episode 1011 min

S11 | E10 Do Therapists Ever Develop Feelings for Their Clients?

Send us Fan Mail Can therapists develop romantic feelings for their clients? It's a question that many people wonder about but one that is rarely discussed openly. In this video, I explore the reality of romantic attraction in the therapy room, why it can happen, why it matters, and what ethical responsibilities therapists have if these feelings arise. I also discuss concepts such as erotic transference, supervision, professional boundaries, and why feelings themselves are very different from actions. This is an honest conversation about a complex and often misunderstood aspect of therapy, viewed through both a human and professional lens. If you're a therapist, trainee therapist, current therapy client, or simply curious about what really happens behind the scenes in therapy, I hope you'll find something useful here. 🎯 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

May 28, 2026Episode 96 min

S11 | E9 Why One Stranger on the London Tube Changed Me Forever

Send us Fan Mail 30 years ago, a shocking event on a London tube train changed the way I think about human connection and trauma. In this video, I share a story about a young man who experienced a sudden act of violence and chose a response that completely overrode the natural "fight, flight, or freeze" instinct. As a therapist, I look back on this moment to explore how we can integrate difficult experiences without letting them harden us or dictate how we see humanity. I look at: - The natural physiological trauma response. - How trauma can "harden" us and lead to social disconnection. - The power of choosing connection over fear. - Discerning between safe and dangerous individuals without generalising. Question for you: Has a stranger ever shown you a different way to live or changed your perspective through a single act? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments. 🎯 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. 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