Dr. John Hilsdon
Practical, calm therapy for anxiety and loss
About John
Dr. John Hilsdon supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, addiction, relationship problems, grief and depression. He is approachable and straightforward, so conversations stay focused and easy to follow.
John uses clear questions and reflective listening to help people find what matters to them and what might change. He has 24 years of practice in the United Kingdom and holds BACP registration, which is listed as his credential.
Over that time he has worked with a wide range of concerns, including issues linked to cancer, hospice and end-of-life care, first responder strain, and process addictions such as gambling or problematic pornography use.
Background and approach
John draws on client-centred ways of working to build trust and help people lead the conversation. He also uses existential approaches to look at meaning, choices and values when life feels confusing or painful. Sessions tend to be practical and conversational rather than full of technical jargon.
People can expect a calm, non-judgemental space where they can say difficult things and try small changes. John focuses on what the person wants to get from therapy and adapts the pace to suit them. He pays attention to everyday obstacles like guilt, shame, loneliness and communication breakdowns.
Therapy can cover both immediate coping and longer-term questions about life purpose or midlife transitions. For someone facing panic, phobias or obsessive thinking, sessions aim to make symptoms easier to manage and less overwhelming. John helps people map out steps they can realistically take between appointments.
What John works with
How John works
Listed by John among the ways they work.
Listed by John among the ways they work.
Sessions & fees
How his approaches work online and in conversation
Client-Centred Therapy focuses on the person in front of the counsellor. The counsellor reflects what is said, offers empathy and supports clients to explore their own answers. This method can help with anxiety, low mood, relationship problems and dealing with loss.Existential Therapy looks at questions of meaning, choice and responsibility. It helps when people feel stuck by life transitions, midlife questions, or the impact of illness and bereavement. The aim is to make clearer choices about how to live rather than prescribe a one-size-fits-all solution.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to decide what feels most helpful based on problems, goals and personal style. This can change over time as new issues come up or progress is made.
Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging to suit different situations. Video calls are useful for a full face-to-face conversation, phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited, and text or chat can be handy for brief check-ins or flexible timing. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, medical appointments and busy family life while still getting consistent support.
| Session length | Typically 50 minutes |
|---|---|
| Client ages | Adults, 18 and over |
| Fees | Subscription via BetterHelp, cancel anytime |
| Insurance | Not billed directly |
Questions people ask
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Areas of focus
What this therapist works with
Most often
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
Also listed
- Cancer
- Communication problems
- Depression
- First responder issues
- Grief
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counselling
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Phobias
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Self-harm
- Smoking / vaping cessation
- Workplace issues
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 24 years
- Registered with
- BACP
- Languages
- English
