Jonathan Oppong–Wiafe

We come to know ourselves through our relationships with others. Our identities are not fixed or formed in isolation. They evolve in response to the people we meet, the dynamics we engage in, and the ways we are seen, heard, and responded to. Each encounter becomes a potential mirror, offering insight into parts of ourselves we may not have known. How we relate to each other and how those relationships are held shape the quality of our interactions and the deeper ongoing process of who we are becoming.

For over five years, I worked in a residential clinical setting that provided intensive support for individuals experiencing a wide range of psychological and emotional challenges, including addiction, depression, suicidality, eating disorders, and anxiety. This environment offered a rich, often complex space in which I engaged with clients on both a group and individual level. My work involved facilitating therapeutic process groups and psychoeducational sessions designed to foster insight, emotional regulation, and interpersonal connection. In addition to group work, I held daily one-to-one counselling sessions, offering clients a consistent space for reflection, support, and relational depth. Through this role, I developed a deeper understanding of the nuanced ways people struggle and the importance of meeting each individual with empathy, presence, and clinical sensitivity. The relational dynamics within this setting profoundly shaped my practice.

I held a postgraduate diploma in integrative counselling from The Minster Centre.