John Gillespie
 

John Gillespie

I didn’t know what to write about me so I asked six friends and colleagues to help me…

“John is the only person of my friends whom I don’t hesitate to turn to with the most embarrassing things I’m going through at a specific moment. This is perhaps an important trait for a therapist in a contemporary culture where shame is so present. At the same time, when I share myself with John, I can count on both seriousness and humour on his part. This mixture has extremely healing properties!”

“John to me is kind, supportive, clever, irritating, rude, and above all, my friend. He has a unique way of creating SUCH a strong holding and supportive space that it always feels okay to me – however I am. But he’s also challenging in a way that isn’t threatening. I suspect he smells of cat pee.”

“She is not wrong, you can be irritating and rude but in very rare circumstances… you don’t smell of cat pee … your flat does!”

“John walked beside me during an incredibly traumatic period in my life. His compassionate support enabled me to trust I would survive when I felt my world was falling apart. John provided the deep, authentic and caring connection I needed to stem the loneliness and fear I experienced during this difficult time. John’s unique ability to hold me in a non-judgemental, understanding and empathic way created opportunities to increase my self-acceptance and meet the challenges I faced. He just gets it.”

“John is probably the most open person I know, often to his own detriment. I suspect this isn’t because he has less ego or shame than the rest of us, more that he would rather face his shame than the exile and loneliness that comes from hiding. Whatever the reason it is a gift, as it allows us to show our frailties and failings. He is also ridiculous, and can swing from deep existential considerations to absurdity and mirth, laughing with not at us. He is wonderfully playful, and (just so this is balanced) can be quite annoying - adolescent boy style annoying”


Whilst I was training as a therapist I founded an organisation called New Gestalt Voices (newgestaltvoices.org). Its aims are to support the voices of those least likely to be heard in political dialogue. The NGV community seeks contributions that explore the role of power and associated oppression in modern societies.

Training & Experience

  • The Institute of Arts in Therapy and Education (IATE); Diploma in Integrative Arts Pyschotherapy, 2010-11.

  • Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, Gestalt Training Programme, 2013-14; Working with Physical Process, 2015-16. 

  • Metanoia Institute London, 2014-17.

  • London Gestalt Centre, MA in Gestalt Psychotherapy, 2017-19.

  • Albany Centre, Counselling Diploma, 2022.

  • Trauma & Addiction training, Rafael Cortina, Insight Therapy Group, 2022.

Therapy & group work Experience 

  • Trainee placements at Metanoia Counselling and Psychotherapy service, Tower Hamlets Mind, One in Four (works with childhood abuse), and London Friend (LGBT service) 

  • Mental Health Placement at Cassel Hospital, West London NHS Trust (Feb-Mar 2019)

  • Director of BowHaven mental health peer support service 2019-20 

  • Staffed OneinFour’s lockdown telephone helpline for childhood sexual abuse survivors 2020-21

  • Facilitated workshops on sex, and addiction, and writing, New Gestalt Voices/ UKAGP (2017-22)

  • Provided peer support for an older population, Age UK Sutton 2022

 

 
 

Qualifications

Gestalt Centre London

The UK’s foremost supplier of training in Gestalt, an enlightening and life-changing approach to counselling and psychotherapy.

 
 

metanoia institute

The Gestalt programme provides a thorough theoretical base to Contemporary Gestalt therapy alongside a scrupulous process of experiential and clinical training. Whilst the professional development of competent practitioners is the focus of the training, creativity, experimentation and enjoyment are also important.

 
 

The institute for arts in therapy and education

The Institute is a Higher Education College of 30 years standing, an Academic Partner of University of East London, member organisation of The UK Council for Psychotherapy and The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). .

 

 
 

gestalt institute of Cleveland

The Gestalt Training Program (GTP) is designed to foster the growth, development, and transformation of people in a manner unique to the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland in service to individuals' personal and professional development.

 
 

esalen institute

For half a century, Esalen has been a primary thought leader and shapeshifter of the culture, generating and promoting new ideas, methods, and connections that have transformed our world. As we move into the future, we honor our rich legacy, celebrate our initiatives and our outreach today, and embrace our common human future in an emergent world culture of tomorrow.

 
 

The gestalt foundation athens

Operating in Athens and Thessalonica since 1998 our main goal is to provide education, training and support to professionals based on the theory and methodology of gestalt therapy as well as improving the practice and promotion of the gestalt philosophy on a wider range of human activities.

 
 
 

Relational change

Relational Change promotes a relational approach in all walks of life. Together with our associates and affiliated centres in the UK and Europe, we aim to deliver value to people, groups and communities in the areas of Organisational Development, Community Building, Coaching and Psychotherapy