How I can help

My name is Jon Blend and I’m an experienced adult, child and adolescent psychotherapist based in Acton, West London. My background includes 40 years working creatively in the NHS and in the community with adults, children and families.

Over the years I have developed a unique way of helping people explore troublesome or unproductive aspects of their lives, known as Gestalt Arts Counselling & Psychotherapy. This respectful, conversational therapy approach enables people to make effective, richer, more satisfying life choices.

This arts-based integrative approach also draws inspiration from attachment and family systems theories and neuroscience. It assists people to develop a better understanding of themselves through awareness, and helps them find relational ways of being and belonging.

Where I work

Most of my therapy, counselling and supervision takes place in person at my West London practice (see map and my location page). I also offer ‘walk and talk’ counselling sessions outdoors, in nearby Acton Park.

I offer some counselling and clinical supervision online. However, I usually meet such clients or supervisees in person first at my practice in W3. This is to help us become acquainted and clarify the nature and scope of our work together.

I also work in person and online as a trainer and a keynote speaker, in UK and abroad.

Why an arts-based therapy approach?

Sometimes it can feel hard to communicate important personal experiences using words alone. Gestalt Arts Counselling & Psychotherapy offers a particular ‘experience-near’ way of exploring concerns through the additional use of arts materials. This may include working with drawing, paint, clay or the sand tray to illustrate a scene of personal relevance or examine a dilemma. Creative writing, haiku, journaling, memoir and dreamwork may similarly provide focus.

I am also a musician and utilise Lifemusic, an improvisational form of music-making that uses percussion and voice. Other arts modalities include lyric writing, puppets, gesture and movement.

Regardless of age or background, working with the arts helps free up our ability to communicate, enabling us to express clearly our needs and desires. When these experiences can be appreciated, witnessed and spoken about in a dialogue we may feel supported and understood.

Canine-assisted therapy

Coco, my ‘canine assistant’ is likely to be present during many face-to-face sessions.

She is friendly, hypoallergenic, and well trained.

Most people find her presence supportive. However, if this is problematic for any reason, please me know.

Post-COVID-19 pandemic

After the easing of coronavirus restrictions I returned to working in person with clients and supervisees. I continue to do so in a well-ventilated, socially distanced space (see former COVID safety protocol).

In the event of any return to pandemic or other health crisis I will adopt the advised regulatory protocol for client safety.

I’ve put together some helpful resources for children and families coping with adversity during and after the pandemic:

See my Coronavirus news and resources page for more details

Art materials for therapy

Please note: if your child or adolescent decides to engage in online sessions with me, a separate charge is required at the outset. This is for purchase of recommended arts materials to be used in therapy.

I can suggest items for you to purchase and advise on where to source these inexpensively in UK or abroad.

If you are a UK resident, I can also purchase these for you and forward them to your address. In the latter case an additional charge is made for administration costs, plus postage.