Trauma-informed psychotherapyInternal Family Systems & EMDR.
You don't have to figure it all out alone
UK & worldwide
Hi I offer 'trauma-informed' psychotherapy & counselling, using two types of therapy that i integrate according to your needs: Internal Family Systems & EMDR therapy.
“Doing therapy with Johnnie has been very helpful. He is empathetic, skilled, and can switch between different modalities. Working with Johnnie helped me to regulate my nervous system better, as well as to address some of the deep-seated issues that needed working through. I would highly recommend his therapy services, especially if you're looking for a mix of body-based approaches, such as EMDR and IFS.” (Oct 2026)
I offer a supportive space to understand what is happening within you, and reconnect with yourself through somatic therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR and relational approaches. “Trauma is a fact of life. It does not, however, have to be a life sentence.” — Peter A. Levine, Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma (1997)
Meet Johnnie Taylor
Over more than 20 years, i worked in the NHS as a clinical specialist in liaison psychiatry. Often in crisis situations i supported people in mental health difficulties, and helped manage their care.
I began to realise that mental health issues are often the result of 'trauma'. The impact of emotional 'wounds' create difficulty in adult life, as if the stories and patterns get replayed out. These triggers can 'take over', so you are not the master of your own house.
I can help you heal from the impact of 'trauma' through getting to know these wounded parts. You may have have fearful parts, panicky ones, obsessive and controlling, parts, avoidant, people-pleasing parts of you. We get to know these parts 'as friends', not as 'symptoms' to remove.
What we can do together
I have completed the IFS Institute's full 3 trainings & I am accredited with the EMDR Association. I'm dual-trained as a trauma-informed therapist. You will not need to see a separate EMDR therapist while you have therapy.
In therapy you may begin to understand your Self better, and to develop a deeper relationship with yourself, with more awareness, choice, connection and authenticity. Your protective parts will relax, be safe, and heal.
What is trauma-informed therapy?
So trauma-informed therapy is: being curious about how your nervous system operates, how it has agendas and developed protective parts - maybe due to traumatic experiences.
So instead of asking, “What is wrong with you?” a trauma-informed therapist asks, “What happened to you?” How did you become to be there way you are? Why are you so anxious and depressed?
You may have experienced abuse, neglect, bullying or abandonment without recognising their lasting effects. Perhaps you feel anxious around people, remain alert to danger, struggle to trust others or react strongly to situations that seem manageable to everyone else.
IFS: How trauma shapes your life - with adaptations and agendas
In the health service, these adaptations may be viewed as 'symptoms' ie panic or fear.
However, Internal Family Systems therapy sees these 'parts' as the way your nervous system protects your Self.
As Gabor Mate says: "Trauma is not what happens to you. Trauma is what happens inside you as a result of what happens to you."
Every emotion has a location in your body
Integrating IFS & EMDR
Body-first therapies
Not all trauma comes from a single frightening event. Growing up with neglect, abuse, unpredictable care or emotional abandonment can affect how you see yourself and what you expect from other people. You may have learned to hide your needs, anticipate rejection or take responsibility for other people’s feelings.
Attachment-informed EMDR explores these experiences and the beliefs they left behind, helping you process the past while paying attention to how it shapes your relationships today. So two methods work really well together. Internal Family Systems gets to know your body's adaptations to trauma. For example, we can get to know your fearful part. And with EMDR we can attend to the wound underneath it.
With IFS and EMDR, we can heal these wounds and bring about stability, safety and peace in your life. You can be your authentic Self.
- Trauma and PTSD
- Complex trauma (C-PTSD)
- Childhood trauma and adverse experiences
- Abuse, neglect, erasure, abandonment
- Anxiety, hypervigilance, flashbacks
- Depression and low mood
- Anger, resentment and feeling hostile
- Loneliness and feeling unlovable
- Chronic stress and burnout
- Relationship incapacity
- Attachment and abandonment issues
- Family scapegoating and emotional abuse
- Low self-esteem, poor confidence
- People-pleasing, shrinking and codependency
- Dissociation, DID, loss of identity
- Grief and hopelessness
- Life transitions and work issues
- Difficulties arising from narcissistic or controlling relationships
- Chronic fatigue and the emotional impact of long-term health difficulties
- Somatic conditions related to emotional problems, including pain and eating problems, dependency
What people say
"Hi Johnnie, I truly appreciate your ability to create a safe space where we can talk constructively on my personal issues. Thank you for following my story with kindness and understanding. I deeply trust you and the process. One of the reasons I like working with you is your flexibility and your pluralistic approach."
"Dear Johnnie, Thank you for understanding, acceptance, kindness and help. This has meant I have been able to explore my life honestly with you. There has been laughter and challenge. Thank you for everything — I will miss you and wish you every happiness and contentment in your life. Warm wishes, P"
"Dear Johnnie, I am writing to you because I did not say thank you for your help. You have a calm voice and a relaxed and friendly manner, which made you an easy person to talk to, working through problems. I hope you help many people in the future."
Please make contact
Thanks for your interest, please email if you want more information, in confidence. I offer a 30-minute introductory Zoom call.
You can also send a WhatsApp message in confidence to +44 7525 456544. Thank you.
Registered & accredited with
Prefer to talk first? I offer a free 30-minute introductory call on Zoom — no obligation, completely confidential. Please fill out the form below.
Based in Canterbury, Kent, UK & Online Worldwide
Heaton Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 3PY
In an Emergency…
Anyone experiencing an urgent mental health crisis can get help from 111 online or call 111 and select the mental health option. If you have taken an overdose or harmed yourself, phone 999 immediately or go directly to your nearest NHS Accident & Emergency (A&E) department. Call the Samaritans for free on 116 123 for 24 hour support. Your GP should be your first point of call for any non-emergency medical concerns including mental health — after speaking to you about your concerns, your GP will be able to signpost you to appropriate services.
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