Joss Lloyd
Gestalt Psychotherapeutic Counsellor in Bristol, Bath and Dursley
"Change and growth take place when a person has risked themself and dares to become involved with experimenting with their own life" - Herbert Otto (1968)
Whole person therapy
Gestalt therapy was developed in the 1940s by Fritz Perls (1893–1970) and Laura Perls (1905–1990). ‘Gestalt’ is a German word that can mean ‘whole’ or ‘complete form.’ I see Gestalt therapy as a way of bringing mind and body into harmony, and becoming aware of patterns of behaviour, emotions, or feelings that may have been outside our awareness. As we gain a more complete sense of ourselves, we develop a greater capacity to choose how we want to live — in line with our true values, needs, and desires.
Here and now
I work with what is alive in the room between us in the present moment. That isn't to say that the past and future aren't important. Our stories about the past can hold us back in the present, and anxiety about an imagined future can paralyze us. Through intentionally attending to the here and now clients often find new awareness and clarity around their situation.
Relational therapy
I see therapy as a collaborative process grounded in genuine human connection. Change happens through the quality of the relationship between therapist and client. I bring myself to our work with presence, curiosity, care and, when appropriate, challenge, and I invite you to do the same. When we meet each other authentically — person to person — something new can emerge. This kind of relational work can support awareness, growth, and new possibilities.
The paradoxical theory of change
Often, what keeps us stuck is the belief that “I should be different from how I am.” The gap between how things are and how we think they should be can make change feel out of reach. The paradoxical theory of change suggests that positive growth begins with fully accepting our present experience, just as it is. In therapy, I help clients reconnect with their natural rhythms— much like the changing seasons — allowing change to emerge organically.
