A note from our founder, Dr Joe Oliver

Our story

In 2004, as a fresh-faced clinical psychologist from New Zealand, working in a busy London community mental health team, I felt immense pressure to perform well and had a strong sense of responsibility. I vividly recall one time in a morning a team meeting where I had to read out a referral letter from a GP. My mind raced, my heart pounded, and my voice trembled as I began reading. I was convinced that everyone could sense my anxiety, and I thought I was weird or strange. As acute feelings of shame and embarrassment overcame me, I faked a stomach ache and hurriedly left the room. I believed that I couldn’t afford to make any mistakes and had to handle everything perfectly. I had learned growing up in New Zealand and within my family that discussing my struggles was not a good thing, which added to my burden.

From then on, public speaking became excruciating for me as anxiety took hold. I did my best to avoid speaking in public and in cases where I had no choice, I overprepared to ensure I wouldn’t appear incompetent. One of the most challenging aspects was that public speaking was becoming increasingly important for my job, and I wanted to feel confident and at ease in such settings. However, I couldn’t escape the feeling of being a complete impostor.

A turning point came when I finally confided in a close friend about my struggles. I vividly remember the advice he gave me: “Why not try accepting your anxiety?” This shifted my perspective entirely, as I realised I could develop a different relationship with my anxiety rather than constantly fighting against it. Over time, I learned that I didn’t have to hide my vulnerability and that my anxiety stemmed from the fact that I was often engaging in something meaningful. It was like a flag inside me, saying, “Hey, this matters to you!”. From that moment, I decided never to run away from myself during those moments, but instead to stay with myself, show kindness, and acknowledge my fear while standing by my side.

Through these experiences, I personally discovered the power of acceptance and values. I also witnessed the extraordinary difference it made in the lives of the individuals I worked with in therapy. This approach was grounded in the fundamental notion that we are simply stuck in our lives, not broken or flawed, and that we just need better tools to navigate life’s challenges. I cherished the loved and deep acceptance that this perspective fostered.

Also, being a bit of a nerd, I found the science behind Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Contextual Behaviour Science appealing. They aimed to grapple with the complexities of human existence and the pursuit of a meaningful life, utilising data to guide the progress of the therapeutic model.

Contextual Consulting was born out of the passion and enthusiasm that emerged from these experiences, and the desire to share these transformative ideas with as many people as possible.

I am excited to continue walking alongside you on your journey.

Dr Joe Oliver, Clinical psychologist and founder of Contextual Consulting