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

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...

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 t...

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...

Send us Fan Mail Four years after my first "Day in the Life" video, I’m revisiting what a typical day looks like as a private practice therapist. In this video, I share the habits, routines, and boundaries that have helped me build a sustainable career over the last 15 years. In this video, I revisit my “day in the life of a therapist”, not as someone newly qualified, but years into buil...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever had the feeling that your life looks right on the outside… but doesn’t quite feel right on the inside? Whether it’s your career, your relationships, or your identity, many of us reach a point where something feels off, like we’ve been living a version of ourselves that works… but isn’t really us. In this video, I explore the idea of the “true self” and the “false sel...

Send us Fan Mail Hi, I’m John-Paul, and a warm welcome back to the channel. Today’s conversation is an important and often emotional one - what happens when sexual identity is disclosed within a relationship, particularly when disclosure comes after the relationship has already been established and it doesn't go well. For many people, it can feel like a shock, or even a betrayal, but it can a...

Send us Fan Mail Hi, I’m John-Paul Davies and welcome back to the channel. In this conversation, I’m joined by Dr Henry Aughterson (currently working as a doctor and training to become a therapist at Re-Vision in London) to explore what it’s really like to train as a therapist, especially when coming from a medical background. We talk about the differences between the medical model and psychothera...

Send us Fan Mail In this video I’m talking about one of the most difficult and important questions when starting or running a private practice: How much should you charge? There’s no single “correct” fee for therapy, which is exactly why this can feel so confusing. In this video, I explore a more grounded way of approaching your pricing, one that takes into account your financial reality, your loc...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, I’m joined by therapist and coach Gavin Lashley to explore a topic that often may not get enough attention the psychological journey of the non-birth partner, affectionately, “Dad”. Gavin is an integrative therapist working with CBT and Internal Family Systems, and he’s also a relatively new father himself. Together, we explore what it really means to become...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when someone discloses that they’re bisexual within a relationship? For some couples it’s straightforward, but for others it can bring up shock, fear, confusion, or insecurity for both partners. In this video I share some reflections on why disclosure can feel destabilising at first, how both people’s reactions are understandable, and how couples can move toward integ...

Send us Fan Mail 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 betwee...

Send us Fan Mail 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:...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail This is a compilation of what I think are some of the most meaningful moments from my videos and conversations on bisexuality so far, including pieces from my chats with Rob Brooks Cohen, Robyn Ochs, Tom Ward-Thomas and Mark Cuzack, as well as clips from my own videos on self-acceptance, coming out, finding community and living more fully as a bi person. Bisexuality can be a reall...

Send us Fan Mail In this video I’m talking with Dr Will Dobud about something I’ve barely touched on before: youth mental health.  Anxiety, depression, self-harm and distress in teenagers are reported to have risen dramatically in recent years, even as diagnoses, services and medications have increased. Will and I explore why that might be and, crucially, what actually helps. Will is a social work...

Send us Fan Mail Changing career doesn’t start with confidence, I think it starts with small choices that help you feel more connected to yourself. In this video I talk honestly about confidence and career change and why you don’t need to feel confident before you start. I share how my own move from law into psychotherapy began not with certainty, but with small choices based on connection: taking...

Send us Fan Mail In this interview with Dr Ron Siegel, we look at the complexities of narcissism, its psychological roots, and the broad spectrum of behaviours it can cover. Ron is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School, a long-standing clinical psychologist and a leading voice in mindfulness-based psychotherapy. He’s known for his ability to bridge solid academic thinking...

Send us Fan Mail What if Snow White wasn’t just a fairy tale but a potential mirror for our own inner journey? In this episode, I explore how Disney’s remake of Snow White reveals powerful lessons about overcoming narcissism and finding true inner integration. I’ll look at how the film’s archetypes and characters can guide us from grandiosity and self-protection towards self-acceptance and alignme...

Send us Fan Mail Being a therapist is really enjoyable, meaningful work, but it can also come with some surprises. In this video, I share 5 things that have been hard on my journey as a therapist: the unexpected challenges, the moments of learning, and the human realities that perhaps  don’t often get talked about. I talk about: * The general lack of oversight and accountability. * The questionabl...

Send us Fan Mail Kati Morton is one of the world’s best-known therapist–creators on YouTube, with almost 1.5 million subscribers, bestselling books and a hugely popular podcast. In this conversation we explore how she’s built such a successful platform, what she’s learned along the way, and the challenges of being such a public voice on mental health. We cover: – How Kati’s career as a therapist s...

Send us Fan Mail In this video, I speak with Robyn Ochs, a leading advocate for bisexuality and bi+ identities. Robyn shares her experiences and insights on bisexuality, pansexuality and the broader spectrum of non-binary sexualities, reflecting on identity, self-expression and community. We talk about the complexities of coming out, not just as a personal step but as an act of love and authentici...

Send us Fan Mail In this YouTube video I talk about making the transition from a current career to becoming a therapist, addressing two common concerns: the length of qualification and the financial transition involved in this career change. 1. Qualification Length: many people seek the quickest route to start their private practice, but, while the theoretical part of the training might be complet...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I’m joined by Nick Duffell, psychotherapist, psycho-historian and author, known for his pioneering work with people who attended boarding schools. We explore: • Nick’s background and the 1994 film 'The Making of Them' • His latest book 'The Unmaking of Them: Clinical Reflections on Boarding School Syndrome' • What “Boarding School Syndrome” mea...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I explore the pressure that therapy trainees, and therapists more generally, can sometimes feel to go along with dominant views within training groups, supervision, or wider therapy spaces. What happens when we don’t feel safe to express a different opinion? What are the effects on our growth, learning and sense of self when we hold back? And how do we create envi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I talk about the vital role that community plays in supporting mental health for bi+ individuals, asking questions about whether you have experienced the pressure of conforming to political ideologies within communities and inviting you to share your experiences and thoughts on the topic. **Bi+ Therapy & Support** If you're looking for a therapist who und...