Jonathan Livingstone

I have over 25 years’ experience as a brief, solution-focused therapist, psychologist and coach, working with individuals and couples. My aim is to help individuals to overcome problems (rather than just to manage problems or understand themselves better). Typical problems include trauma (PTSD), anxiety, childhood abuse, OCD, ADHD; and typical goals, include confidence, assertiveness, good relationships. Sometimes people don't know what the problem is, or what they want, or need a disinterested (neutral) perspective. I'll help you to explore, interrogate and challenge.  

The way I typically work is to help you to clarify your goals; identify what it is within you that’s stopping you from behaving in a way consistent with your goals; find the origins of this behaviour in your biography; and help you to relearn that experience to permanently resolve your problem.

This person-centred therapy will enable you fully to overcome your problem, not simply to understand or manage it. Clients have often noted how quickly transformational change occurs.

'I feel happier than I've felt since I was 9.'

'I have a greater acceptance and love for myself.'

'It feels really good and freeing; I really do feel a lot happier.'

'I've been feeling really good again.'

'Thank you again for the two sessions. They were incredibly helpful.'

'I don't really understand how one session can help so much but it did.'

The models I use include Relearning Experience Process (REP), to identify and resolve the biographical origins of problems; EMDR for PTSD and cPTSD; NLP and hypnotherapy to transform beliefs and ways of thinking; Nonviolent Communication (NVC) to improve relationships; and energy kinesiology. Most people receive complete resolution in three to six sessions, but some people need more time. Both REP and NVC are very effective in helping couples to re-establish connection and intimacy and let go of resentments.

Born in Kenya, I spent much of my childhood in the Caribbean. As an adult, I have also lived in South Africa. I have four children (two teenagers; two are grown up). My interest in the unconscious and motivation of human behaviour started age 11 when I first began hypnotizing people.

I have worked in Tamil Nadu with tsunami survivors, with young people from South African townships, and with refugees in BIOT and Rwanda. 

• Trauma (PTSD and cPTSD), such as resulting from accidents, assault
• Assertiveness (personal and professional)
• OCD and intrusive thoughts
• Addictions
• Eating issues: weight, anorexia, bulimia
• Separation and divorce
• Issues relating to autism
• Childhood abuse (sexual and physical) and neglect
• Self-confidence for public speaking
• Social anxiety

Reduced fees available for students and under 18s. 

Methods

As creator of Relearning Experience Process (REP) (www.relearning.co.uk), I believe that this is the most effective and economical method for most issues and for most people. For trauma, however, I use the brilliant Eye Movement, Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I also use muscle testing and techniques from energy kinesiology (Touch for Health, Three in One Concepts, TAT); hypnosis, for example to open up creative channels; and my work is informed by Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP). 

Clients

I work with individuals, including children and young people, and couples. I have a passion for diversity and enjoy working with people of any background, race, gender and orientation. 

Couples coaching 

Lasting around 90 minutes, using REP and influenced by Marshall Rosenberg's Nonviolent Communication and NLP, this work will help both partners to listen to each other attentively, express their own and understand each other's needs, communicate effectively without triggering defensiveness, and appreciate and heal the antecedents of their present difficulties. This enables the couple to reconnect and regain closeness and intimacy or, on occasion, find the most favourable way of separating. 

When applied to couples coaching, REP is ground breaking – achieving something that, to our knowledge, no other method can achieve with couples. Delivered within a couples consultation REP provides a powerful therapeutic intervention where the partners can together relearn the past to heal and let go of resentments and past occurrences that have inhibited intimacy and connection.

Coaching or therapy?

Coaching and therapy are different sides of the same coin, having different emphases. The emphasis of coaching is on goals, and the emphasis of therapy is on problems. However, challenging goals involve problems; and you can't have a problem unless there's something you want. For this reason, I have always described my work as both coaching and therapy. 

Testimonials

These are some unsolicited comments from clients:

'​I’ve realized how much happened in therapy. No more childhood hate and loneliness. Thank you for everything and your belief in me.'  B.

'Thank you for today's session. It really helped me. The techniques you use are so amazing to be on the receiving end as a patient.'  T.

'All has been good. (No hayfever, amazing.)'  D.

'Last session I really travelled a long way. Today I feel happier than I've felt since I was nine. Thank you.'  M.

'I have thoroughly enjoyed our therapy sessions Jonathan, and even belatedly, the ones where I experienced sadness and tears, because I can feel the change in every pore of my being, and I thank you most sincerely for that.' P. 

'I came for a one hour session (quit smoking) 6 years ago, when 5 months pregnant. I haven't smoked ever since that day. Thank you very much.'  D. 

'I’ve lost a stone, and had no chocolate since the session. I’m the envy of my friends. I’ve been spreading the word. It's all down to you.'  T. 

More information

For more information or to book a consultation, please contact me (07951 260446 or email), and visit my website, www.relearning.co.uk. I look forward to working with you.