About me

Johnnie Taylor — Counsellor & Psychotherapist

I'm an experienced, trauma-informed psychotherapist and counsellor based in Canterbury, Kent, and I also offer therapy online. I have worked therapeutically for over 27 years, including 20 years working clinically within the NHS in liaison psychiatry.

Johnnie Taylor, counsellor and psychotherapist

A trauma-informed and embodied approach

Over that time, I have developed a particular interest in understanding the effects of trauma and the ways difficult experiences can continue to shape how we feel, think and relate to ourselves and others.

My approach is trauma-focused and embodied. I'm interested not only in what has happened to you and how you understand it, but also in what happens within your body and nervous system as a result.

You may understand your difficulties very well, yet still find yourself reacting in ways that feel outside your control. You may experience anxiety, panic, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, difficulties in relationships, people pleasing, or a sense that you have lost touch with who you really are. I believe these responses often make sense when we understand what the nervous system has learned to do to protect us.

Therapy can therefore be about more than gaining insight into your problems. It can also involve developing a different relationship with your nervous system, your emotions and the protective patterns that have developed over time.

My therapeutic approach

I work primarily with Internal Family Systems (IFS) and EMDR, including attachment-informed EMDR.

I have completed Level 3 training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) with the IFS Institute. IFS offers a compassionate way of understanding the different parts of ourselves that have developed in response to our experiences. Rather than judging, suppressing or trying to get rid of these parts, we can become curious about what they are protecting and what they need.

I am accredited with the EMDR Association and EMDR Europe. EMDR can help the brain process traumatic or distressing memories that continue to affect us in the present. Sometimes we can know intellectually that something is in the past, while our nervous system continues to respond as though it is happening now.

My earlier training in psychodynamic counselling, together with several years as a candidate in Jungian psychotherapy with the Institute of Group Analysis and Psychotherapy (IGAP) in London, has also influenced the way I understand the inner world and the relationship between our past experiences and our lives today.

Areas I particularly work with

Complex trauma and PTSD
Traumatic memories and flashbacks
Anxiety and panic
Emotional difficulties following abusive or difficult relationships
People pleasing, fawning and codependent patterns
Difficulties with boundaries and a loss of connection with yourself
The effects of scapegoating and bullying
Dissociation and difficulties with identity and a sense of self
Intrusive thoughts and OCD-related difficulties

I work with each person as an individual. Your experiences and the ways you have learned to cope are unique to you, so therapy needs to be collaborative and paced according to what feels safe and manageable.

“Johnnie can walk with you to those places that feel uncomfortable to talk about, especially to a stranger — he won't judge you or push, he'll just be there and support you all the way.”
— Anonymous

A client's words

Alchemy

Natalie, June 2014

The keeper of my uncaged thoughts sets freeThe eaten secrets, swallowed hurts and tears.He holds my shy and whispered blasphemiesAnd gently eases heart strings taut with fear.No tragic tale, no gross abuse, and yetThe subtle scars of quiet misuse beginTo bleed their silent leeching of regret,Mimesis and Catharsis held therein.Unleash the birds of bitterness, unchainAn angst of butterflies, so pasts take flightTo shriek illicits at the sun, their pain,The feared intent dispelled in searing light.An alchemist at work, as truths are toldBase shadows turn, arrayed in burnished gold.

It was an amazing year in therapy with you. You have a soft and gentle approach instead of forcing an interaction or experience, which made me feel comfortable and safe in every session. I feel like my life improved in general, and that was my end goal. Thank you for everything!

Raquel, Feb 2024

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.

A, 2022

Professional background & qualifications

BACP Registered Member

MBACP No. 55438

EMDR Association & EMDR Europe

Accredited Practitioner

IFS Institute

Level 3 Trained

MSc Mental Health

King's College London

NMC Registered

Nursing & Midwifery Council

NHS Experience

27+ years, incl. liaison psychiatry

Ready to take the first step?

You don't need to know exactly what you need before getting in touch. An initial conversation can be an opportunity to talk about what is happening for you and consider whether my approach might be a good fit.

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