About Ian Newman

I was born in 1974 and raised in Bromley, Kent.  My biggest passion as child was Star Wars which is still very much something I have a keen interest in.  A love for film, TV and performance led me to undertake a degree in Communications and Audio Visual Production and I worked in media for several years.

 

In the late 90s I worked as a youth and children's worker in Westminster, as well as working in both a secondary and primary school before embarking on a PGCE in primary education.  I have taught in South-East London since 2004.

 

My interest in mental health and wellbeing emerged through my work with children and young people and an interest in supporting parents and school staff, which led to me train as a counsellor.

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My counselling training at The Gestalt Centre in London began in 2012, where I completed a one-year Certificate in Humanistic Counselling.  I then continued my Gestalt training with them for three more years.  In 2016, I was awarded a Post Graduate Diploma (with merit) in Gestalt Therapy Theory Studies - a course that was accredited by London Metropolitan University.  

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I worked for over two years as a volunteer counsellor at ELOP (East London Out Project in Walthamstow) before establishing my private practice in September 2018.

 

Now I work both as a counsellor in private practice in Kent and also as teacher and wellbeing lead in South East London.  I am particularly interested in working with adults who feel overwhelmed with life's circumstances and who need support in working through issues that are holding them back and causing stress, depression and anxiety.  I also have an interest in supporting other men to explore issues surrounding their mental health and wellbeing.

 

I am an advocate and active practitioner of mindfulness and have trained as a mindfulness teacher for children in primary school.

 

My spare time is spent with my husband; indulging in box-sets on TV, going to the cinema, theatre and music concerts as well as walking my two Romanian rescue dogs.  During the Covid-19 pandemic, I completed the Couch to 5K challenge and have continued running regularly.  I find running a great way to maintain physical fitness and also support my wellbeing.