John Mackessy

Psychotherapist & Integrative Counsellor

John Mackessy

Psychotherapist & Integrative Counsellor

MA, Adv Dip Counselling, Dip Clinical Supervision, MBACP (Accred,)

Pronouns - He/Him

Over my 25 years in mental health, training and personal development, I’ve worked with a huge range of client needs and have developed more than one ‘specialism’. This includes working with neurodivergence(including ADHD, ASD / ‘Aspergers’, dyspraxia etc.); survivors of trauma / abuse (male, female and transgender); clients with sensory disabilities; and working in educational and personal development settings, often around issues of personal identity and experiences of ‘difference’.

Currently, my main area of research and teaching is neurodiversity and neurodivergence, and about 80% of my clients identify as neurodivergent in one or more ways. Often getting a clear understanding of this or a diagnosis has been a painful and challenging journey. I work with many people who seem to have ‘fallen through the cracks’ of the medical and educational systems as regards addressing their needs. Often there will have been difficult experiences growing up and in educational and work settings. This frequently affects self-esteem, leading to such things as ‘imposter syndrome’, a harsh inner critic, feelings of failure and inadequacy and masking (covering over and trying to blend in).

Clients have said that they find me warm and approachable, which is important, as the relationship in therapy needs to offer a foundation of trust and security. As an Integrative practitioner, I’ve been trained in a number of different therapeutic approaches, which I adapt in my work based on the individual client and their needs. Often this is to help them gain the skills, resilience and confidence to move forward and face not only life’s challenges but their own moods, fears and anxieties.

I qualified as as an Integrative Counsellor in 2005, and have since gained a Master’s Degree (Distinction) in Counselling & Psychotherapy and a Diploma in Clinical Supervision. My master’s thesis was expanded and published as a series in Self & Society, International Journal of Humanistic Psychology. I have also published several chapters on psychotherapy for Routledge and elsewhere.

Aside from private practice my work has been mainly in the charity and education sectors - with survivors of abuse (Witness Against Abuse), mental health (MIND), disability (RNIB, Action for Blind People), and personal development (London Met). I have set up projects to develop communication skills, assertiveness, mindfulness and other aspects of personal/professional development. I bring this to my work with individuals too.

If you feel that I may be able to help you I’d be very happy to have an initial talk with you, so that you can get a better sense of what it might be like to work with me.

John specialises in the treatment of;

• Neurodiversity

  Neurodiversity

  Neurodivergent Linked Trauma

  Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

  ADHD

• Anxiety Problems

  Stress

  Generalised (GAD)

  Panic / Panic Attacks

  Performance Anxiety

  Social Anxiety

• Bi-Polar Disorder

• Depression - Low Mood

• Depression - Major

• Emotional Regulation

• Family Issues - Adoption

• Family Issues - Conflict

• Gender Identity Issues

• Grief / Bereavement / Loss

• LGBTQI+ Related Issues

• Low Self-Esteem

• Parenting Issues

• Perfectionism

• Relationship Problems

  Attachment issues

  Codependency

  Communication difficulties

  Doubt in relationship

  Infidelity, affairs & betrayals

  Intimacy

  Separation & Divorce

• Trauma - Childhood Trauma

• Work - General

• Work - Bullying

• Work - Stress

• Personal and professional development

• Assertiveness

• Communication skills

  LGBTQI+ Inclusive - I am a practitioner committed to affirming diversity. My experience encompasses extensive work with clients from various backgrounds, including those undergoing gender transition. My goal is to provide a supportive and inclusive environment for everyone.

John can also treat the following problems;

• ADHD

• Anger

• Anxiety - Separation

• Anxiety - Fears of abandonment

• Body Image Problems

• Depression - Seasonal Affective Disorder

• Self Harm

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Health conditions - Acute / Long Term

• Trauma - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Trauma - Complex PTSD

• Career Coaching

Therapeutic Models & Approaches John can use within his practice:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

• Coaching (Career / Life)

• Mindfulness

• Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Integrative Therapy

• Interpersonal therapy

• Person-centred therapy

• Psychodynamic therapy

• Gestalt therapy

• Narrative therapy

• Trauma-Informed Therapy

• Attachment-Based Therapy

• Transactional Analysis 

• Attachment Theory

John works with:

All adults, across the whole age range from 18 years + 

John’s Training, qualifications & experience.

• MBACP Accredited since 2010

• Diploma in Clinical Supervision (2012, BACP recognized qualification)

• MA in Counselling & Psychotherapy (Distinction, awarded 2018)

• Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling (2005)

• BA in Comparative Religion (First Class Honours, 1997)

• Practice Zen meditation