A serene black-and-white scene of a meditating Buddha beside a lotus flower, mountains and sea at sunrise
“You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere.”
— Buddha
Open Hand · Therapeutic Counselling

A quiet space to be heard, explore, understand, heal and grow

A calm, confidential and supportive space to be heard without judgement — impactful therapeutic counselling for difficulties, life transitions and personal growth

How you might be feeling

Whatever brings you here, it’s enough.

Many of the people I work with arrive unsure where to begin — and that’s a perfectly good place to start.

Anxious, overwhelmed or isolated

A constant sense something bad may happen, you cant cope or have got something wrong. Feeling different or excluded. No one you can talk to about your issue.

Unwanted feelings or behaviour

Feeling low, poor self image, feelings of inadequacy, things from the past impacting you in the present - behaviour or patterns of thinking you'd like to change

In a season of change

A relationship, a loss, a career — something has shifted, and you’re finding your footing or on a growth journey, finding deeper meaning and connection with yourself and others.

How I support you

Therapy that meets you where you are.

Sessions are a calm, confidential space to think out loud, feel what needs to be felt, and gently make sense of what’s going on. Therapy is powerful, but its not about 'fixing' anything - its about understanding, acceptance and transcendence.  The process is lead by you and supported by me as we work together to find greater awareness and clarity.  I offer a safe non-judemental space to help you connect with your core authentic self.  I adapt to your needs and preferences within my skills set.

  • A Pluralistic, person-centred approach - drawing on different tools and approaches appropriate to the client
  • 50-minute Online sessions
  • A confidential, unhurried experience — Its your space, its your pace
  • Short-term focused work, or open-ended therapy
  • Sensitivity to identity, culture and lived experience
Portrait of the counsellor at Open Hand
A figure standing on a granite tor on Dartmoor, with sweeping moorland under a bright sky
Time in stillness and in nature — where I find my own steadiness.
Hiking with a backpack in front of a glacier and forested mountain valley
On a boat in Milford Sound with dramatic mountains rising from the water
About Me

Warmth, integrity and a gentle steadiness.

I’m a qualified and registered Therapeutic Counsellor working with adults across a wide range of life experiences — Challenging life events (past and present), unwanted feelings, trauma, anxiety, poor self-image/worth, confidence, grief & loss, abuse, anger, addiction, behaviour change, identity, belonging, relationships and resilience. I also work with people on more broad personal development, self-understanding and self actualization journeys.

Having worked in social care, support, homelessness and social housing feild for over 30 years up to director level I have gained a broad experience including addiction, domestic abuse, mental ill-health, neurodiversity, complex needs and safeguarding. My passion has always been to ensure people receive the right service, delivered in the right way at the right time for maximum impact and safety.

Please see my client feedback below as I feel this is the best reflection of my offer.

RELEVANT QUALIFICATIONS
  • Advanced Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling -Pluralistic (NCPS accredited) Transactional Analysis 101
  • Qualified & Registered Social Worker
RELEVANT TRAINING
  • Understanding and application of Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
  • Trauma-Informed Practice
  • Safeguarding Adults & Children
  • Working with men who have been sexually abused as children
  • Ongoing CPD across counselling & support
Why Open Hand?

Why did I choose the name Open Hand ?

  • The Open Hand is reaching out and wants to help
  • The Open Hand is ready to receive and hold
  • The Open Hand has something to give
  • The Open hand helps us find our balance again
  • The Open hand hides nothing and accepts all without judgement
  • The Open Hand is compassion and represents fearlessness through acceptance
Client experiences

In their own words.

Shared anonymously, with permission.

Dear Jon, I just wanted to express my sincere thanks for our sessions together. Over the ten sessions, you gave me exactly what I needed, understanding, support and practical tools that made a real difference. I’ve learned a lot, feel stronger, and have a clearer sense of direction and hope. I truly appreciate the time, patience, and care you put into helping me. Thank you for making such a positive impact in a short time. Should you need a testimonial here it is: I had ten therapy sessions with Jon and I’m genuinely grateful for the experience. He listened attentively and provided exactly what I needed.. support, structure, and practical tools that truly worked for me. In a short time, he helped me make significant progress, feel more grounded and regain hope. I’m deeply thankful for his guidance and highly recommend him to anyone looking for meaningful, effective therapy.
Client, Female, 40 yrs
Hi Jon I would just like to say thank you, so much following my counselling sessions with you. Before starting counselling with you, I didn't know what I was thinking, couldn't express how I was feeling, and couldn't process what happened to me through out my life. I was lost and just existing, and letting people treat me how ever they felt because that's what I was used to and that's what I felt was normal. Our counselling sessions, taught me so much about myself, gave me confidence and taught me how to stand up for myself, and showed me that how I have been treated in my past is not normal. I want to thank you so much, I was dreading having counselling as I didn't know where to start, but I am so glad that I went through with it, and had you as my personal counsellor. Thanks Again
Client, Male, 45
"I was introduced to Jon after seeking support through a Charity for mens wellbeing. Having not done any form of counselling before I did not know what to expect and was unexpectedly nervous for my first session. I was instantly put at ease when meeting Jon for the first time. His comforting presence and professional demeanour helped me settle into my first experience of counselling. Jon helped me bring to the surface certain things that I needed to talk about, even things that I did not think needed addressing. Guided through Jons sessions, I was able to dissociate my challenges from me personally which allowed me to understand why I faced these at this point in my life - this in itself was a technique for my recovery. I would recommend Jon for those who are nervous to start counselling, but know that they need to open up and start searching for some answers
Client, Male, 29
I never thought I would do anything like this, I always looked at counciling sessions with anxiety and thinking "that won't help me", untill I met Jon! Jon is such a warming person who I'd quite frankly trust my life with, after my first session getting to know each other I felt calm, my nerves died down and instantly felt relief of being able to tell someone about all of my issues as best I could. Following sessions Jon was able to show me a scrambled mess of myself in a clear picture, which led on to having an understanding of what's been going on In my head and realising why I have suffered for so long. With Jon I have found myself, my true self, that was locked away in a prison of a lost me. I couldn't be more grateful for the tools he's has given me, when I feel anxious now I am able to deal with it, face it which I never could before. My life has changed so much for the better and I'm in a much happier place, I no longer wake up every day thinking straight away "What's the first worry of today", I still get it sometimes when things happen but I can cope and quickly move on with my day. I couldn't recommend Jon enough and would encourage anyone who is suffering to make that jump and see how it will relieve you of so much weight on your shoulders, especially being a man and believing that I have to be strong as a man as that's what I was taught, in fact everyone no matter what could do with a bit of help time to time. I must say the biggest thank you to Jon he is a naturally caring and loving person who is there to help anyone.
Client, Male, 32
Hi Jon, I'd just like to say thank you for everything you have helped me with over the 6 weeks or so that we spoke. I'd always dismissed counselling or any therapy in the past but talking to you really helped me enter a different head space. I definitely feel that I'm more aware and able to 'act' instead of 'reacting'. Again, thank you! Good luck for the future.
Client, Male, 48
Working with Jon helped me reconnect with parts of myself I’d quietly set aside. He created a space where I felt safe to be honest — with him, and with myself. I leave our sessions feeling lighter and more grounded.
Client, Female, 36
NCPS Registered Member
Advanced Cert Therapeutic Counselling (Distinction)
Enhanced DBS · Fully Insured
Session Fees

How much do I charge?

 My pricing is in line with industry standards but I do also hold a small number of reduced-fee places at any time. If cost is a barrier, please ask — there’s no pressure either way.

Initial consultation

£0

A 20-minute call to see if working together feels right.

  • No obligation
  • By Video call or phone if you prefer
Make an enquiry

1.2.1 SESSIONS

£55

A 50-minute session online.

  • Regular times each week/Fortnight/Month
  • Short term focussed work or open ended therapy
Make an enquiry

BLOCK BOOKINGS 

 I offer a discount for bookings of 6 sessions or more.

  • £50 per session
  • Paid in advance or pay £55 and be refunded £5 per session on 6th session
Make an enquiry

Concessions · Guide price

Guide: £30 per session

I offer a small number of reduced-fee spaces for those on lower incomes. The exact rate is agreed together based on your circumstances — please mention it in your enquiry.

Ask about concessions
Contact

Make an Enquiry

Reaching out can feel like a big step. Whatever brings you here, you’re welcome — there’s no pressure to know exactly what to say.

  • Email

    openhandconsulting@outlook.com

  • Phone

    +44 (0) 7903680042 (note: Please leave a mesage as I may be in session and ill call you back ASAP)

  • BASED IN

    UK - Open Hand Consulting Trading as Open Hand Training and Consultancy and Open Hand Therapeutic Counselling