Counselling & Psychotherapy in Guernsey

25/12/2025

Wow - What a difference a year makes! Last Christmas was spent in Victoria ward at the PEH - the staff were amazing, the food was great and we even had carol singers. This year I am super grateful to be home, to be healthy and to have plans for 2026...

I hope you have a good Christmas - festive family fun, or doing your own thing - I realise not everyone enjoys this time of year - in which case please look after yourself - do something special for you.

I am taking 10 days off now, back to work on the 5th Jan.
I wish you a good Christmas and new year.

23/08/2025

I've just had an excellent week off and looking forward to one more, then back to what I love doing. I have recently decorated my therapy room with a wall mural, which I hope brings a bit of colour and warmth into the room - I try and find that balance between professional and cosy/comfortable and hope that it is a welcoming environment.
I am generally busy but please do get in touch if you would like to arrange a meeting as spaces do regularly become available.

10/03/2025

Money problems? We all have them! Come along to a 4 week course to learn about budgeting skills, saving and making the most of your money.

Starting on Thursday 6th March @ 6:45pm. Sign up using the link below!

https://moneycoaching.capuk.org/join-course/ccd27afa-45ec-4de3-b7e4-b5ad0b13d6e1

17/02/2025

Today is Random Acts of Kindness Day 💛

We are committed to ending homelessness in all its forms in Guernsey.

You could help by learning more about our services, donating to Guernsey Welfare Foodbank, reaching out to a friend you've not heard from in a while or simply smiling at a stranger.

16/12/2024

Hi everyone, I have been offline for a while and it feels like time for an update!

First of all, I want to wish everyone all the very best for the season - recognising that this can be a very difficult time for some people and a time of celebration for others. Whatever your circumstances I hope you are able to find some light even if things seem dark around you.

The reason for my lack of comms and updates is that I unexpectedly ended up in hospital in November! The long and the short (excuse the pun) of things is that I have just had my left leg amputated below the knee (blood clot in arteries that didn’t get spotted early enough).
So I am in hospital (back in Guernsey which is a huge relief) and will be here for a couple of months. The team here are amazing!!!

Huge apologies to my clients that have been waiting - I just couldn’t have predicted this, and actually this is the first time I have felt up to opening my computer to write something.

My plan is to get back to work in February - I should have a first prosthetic leg by then. I will get in touch individually with my clients who are on my waiting list, and then will open things up more as I gain more independence (and confidence in the leg). I hope to find some sponsorship to get a running leg eventually… As well as face to face sessions at my consulting room in town, I will probably also offer some Zoom sessions, as this will be easier for me initially.

Thanks for your understanding, apologies if you have been in touch and I haven’t responded - I know I have missed a couple of enquiries.

Have a good Christmas and here’s to a positive and healthy new year.

With best wishes,
John Bate

12/11/2024

It's a weird thing to sit on a bench and then actually talk to someone you don't know, but those random connections can be really important to people. such a good idea the talking benches. I'm sure the su***de awareness group is all about su***de prevention, 'Let's talk because we care'.

We are delighted to announce that we have set up a new support group in the Bailiwick which it’s hoped will encourage those impacted by su***de to talk.

The Guernsey Su***de Awareness Group will incorporate Talking Benches whose first seat was installed overlooking Petit Bot in 2021. Additional benches will continue to be placed around the islands when funding allows.

Please follow our new page before this page closes down.

26/10/2024

Well worth a watch - “it's okay to feel things, it's okay not to be okay, it's okay to take a break from life for a while you know, be angry - that's important - all of that. but in reality the like 32 years of my life I've just hated myself for feeling things deeply and like denied that and it is absolutely life changing to be able to be really angry and feel that fully and be like I am freakin pi**ed and then it like actually moves through my body. I don't have to do anything about it right, I don't have to act out in anger, but I can be mad and be lifting weights and be thinking all kinds of angry things and it doesn't make me a terrible person and then maybe 20 minutes later I am genuinely happy about something without it all feeling so diluted because I'm not denying myself feeling…”

Thank you so much to Troxus for the bike adventure today! For 10% off your awesome ebike purchase, use this link or code BikingWithJo at checkout! https://ww...

24/08/2024

Don't forget our free online mindfulness sessions on Sunday mornings with Chris Robilliard. Everyone is welcome. Please visit www.guernseymind.org.gg and scroll down on the home page for details (and check out the 10K Challenge while you're there!).

26/06/2024

This is my new counselling/psychotherapy room (therapygg.com). I am looking for someone who would like to share the use of this room. It would be available on weekdays from 3pm and all day at weekends. It has just been decorated and has a partition wall to create an entrance lobby/waiting area. There is a bathroom and kitchenette.

Location: Les Canichers, off St Julians Avenue, St Peter Port.

Please email me if interested (john@therapygg.com). Thanks, John Bate.

(Please share)

17/06/2024

A fine day for flying! And for taking the camera to make some 360 videos for working with fear of flying. When combined with a Virtual Reality headset the videos can be watched as if you are actually there. I use a series of videos to manage the process rather than being put straight into a plane (which could be overwhelming). We work on grounding techniques and also develop tools and techniques to work on overcoming a fear of flying. We may also look at what might be behind the fear of flying, if relevant. The VR headset approach generally works really well, so this is a great additional series of videos that I am pleased to add to the collection. Please do get in touch if you would like to find out more (john@therapygg.com).

11/06/2024

I will soon be moving in to my new therapy room - I spent the day painting, cleaning, more painting... Really excited for this new location and looking forward to welcoming people here. I still have plenty to do (carpet to put down, more painting...) but I hope to move in very soon :) Oh and the location - just off St Julian's Avenue in Les Canichers - see the map picture below.

05/06/2024

I am creating a series of Youtube 360 videos for Relaxation / Mindfulness intended for people who are unable to get outside or move about much; they are intended to be watched on a Virtual Reality headset such as a 'Quest 2' headset on the 'Youtube VR' app. Please check out my Youtube channel for more information. I am also developing a series of 360 videos for other therapists to use for working with anxiety, trauma, phobias, etc. Please do get in touch if you would like to find out more. Here is an example Relaxation/Mindfulness video:

This is a mindfulness / Relaxation video.Ideally watched with a VR headset via Youtube VR, but works with a normal screen also. Relax and enjoy a few minutes...