Joe Harrington

I've been working through some VERY intense traumas (different forms)/lack of self worth/severe depression etc, with Joe for 1 year and 6 months. I genuinely cannot express how grateful I am to Joe...

I've been working through some VERY intense traumas (different forms)/lack of self worth/severe depression etc, with Joe for 1 year and 6 months. I genuinely cannot express how grateful I am to Joe for everything he's helped me with. Yes, some of it was REALLY hard to work through, but Joe helped give me the advice, strength and confidence to be able to face every single one of my own personal demons head-on. Joe is kind, considerate, patient, caring, empathic, totally non-judgemental, can help gently steer/direct conversation as required... I've been seeing all different therapists/counsellors/psychiatrists since I was young, and no-one has ever come near to how comfortable I felt about opening up to Joe, nor did I feel I ever had their true respect; as if I was just a number they need to work through. I have NEVER had that impression with Joe! It's been an incredible journey, and now I'm at the end I have to admit I'm left with a very bitter-sweet feeling. I will genuinely miss having Joe as part of my life. Joe, if you read this (and I'm sure you'll know who this is), you'll forever be in my daily thoughts and thanks. Yes, I put a lot of the work in as well, but there's no way I could've gone through SO MUCH as I did with you without your support. I came to you, a totally broken and shattered shell of a man, and with your help I'm finally complete again. Once more, infinite thanks, and namaste. A true angel amongst mortals.

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Joe has helped me immensely over the last year and a half. I feel I'm now in the best space mentally I've been in my entire life.

Joe has helped me immensely over the last year and a half. I feel I'm now in the best space mentally I've been in my entire life.

While the initial few sessions seemed quite promising and helpful, I've later realised that the lack of a more tailored/individual approach does not really work for me. I would often find myself...

While the initial few sessions seemed quite promising and helpful, I've later realised that the lack of a more tailored/individual approach does not really work for me. I would often find myself talking and sharing a lot without receiving sufficient tailored guidance in return. The guidance offered seemed to rely too much on self-help CBT materials, without adequate individual circumstances nuance. A couple of basic CBT metaphors have been used more than once as something "new", which gave me the feeling of repetitiveness and lack of continuity between the sessions. I appreciate that this approach might work for some, but I simply felt that the guidance & materials offered were too generic, with a lot of the work/talking to be done on your own, while providing similar outcomes as using a self-help CBT book.

Joe Harrington commented

Thank you for your feedback. I am pleased that the first sessions were helpful but disappointed to hear that you felt the subsequent sessions were not.

I would like to note that we were not taking a sole CBT approach, as I am trained in other modalities, hence why I state that I take an ‘integrative approach’. This means my practice tends to be more holistic, blending aspects of different techniques, which is where I certainly do tailor my therapy to each client. It is true that when using CBT, I take certain standard elements, but this is to be expected, since some aspects must be common to all practitioners for a technique to be considered a ‘technique’. That said, I must point out that I have never at any time claimed these are ‘new’ (ie created by me) or unique to my practice, and this is not something that has ever been criticised before. However, my integrative approach does mean that some talking is required of you, as the client, to encourage you to reach your own conclusions, as this is part of the process of self-realisation, which in my experience is much more likely to be enduring than simply talking at a client and offering solutions on a plate. This may feel like you are doing the work (and in some senses you are, as this is a necessary part of the process); nevertheless, the subtle guidance from the therapist usually brings results that the client is unable to (and often in the past has been unable to) achieve alone from merely studying the therapeutic strategies - which, I might add, are not shrouded in secrecy but freely available to anyone inclined to do the research.

I'm not entirely sure why you felt there was no continuity, as we explored the same issue you presented with throughout your sessions. That said, your perception may be due to inconsistency, as you did not take sessions on a weekly basis in accordance with my recommendation at the start of therapy.

As regards CBT tools and strategies, some of the tools I use can be found online through sites like Therapist Aid, where there may be a crossover between these and the strategies contained in self help books - though the latter have borrowed from the official school of thought, not the other way round. Further, the difference with applying these tools in therapy is that you work through them with a trained professional who often, like myself, has had many years’ experience implementing them with thousands of different clients from all walks of life.

All my clients to date have found the extensive tools and strategies I have collated and crafted over the years extremely helpful, and had you stayed to complete therapy, I would have been able to offer many more for you to add to the toolbox.

To be honest, I am slightly confused as to why you have mentioned this, as in some of our final correspondence you thanked me for a ‘great session’.

I hope that you have since found the right therapist - one that is suited to your needs - and that you have received the help you deserve.

I wish you all the best for the future.

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Cracking therapist! Helped me through my depression, anxiety, and addictive habits and helped me build a more positive mindset/lifestyle.

Cracking therapist! Helped me through my depression, anxiety, and addictive habits and helped me build a more positive mindset/lifestyle.