Jason Upton

Jason is a UKCP registered existential psychotherapist, supervisor, and dance movement psychotherapist with over 28 years experience of working with children, young people, adults and groups. 

He has worked as psychotherapist in a number of schools as well with adults in the voluntary sector and private practice. From 2005 - 2011, he was a Services Manager and psychotherapist at a leading psychotherapy clinic in the fields of trauma, sexual abuse and sexual offending. He has a particular interest in the role of the body in trauma and related issues. In 2025, he completed a PhD taking a phenomenological approach to consider the role of embodiment within the rDzogs chen tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. 

He has taught at Regent’s University London on the MA in Psychotherapy and Counselling since 2007. Since 2021, he has been an assistant professor at Regent’s and co-course leader for the existential pathway on the MA year 3 and Post-Graduate Certificate in Existential Psychotherapy courses.

• 2018-2025 PhD, Department of Religions and Philosophies, SOAS, University of London Thesis: Phenomenology of Primordial Awareness: The Role of the Body in rDzogs chen from the 11th to 14th Century
• 2005-2006 Advanced Diploma in Existential Psychotherapy, Regent’s College, London
• 2003-2004 MA in Psychotherapy, Regent’s College, validated by City University Thesis: The Effects of Mindfulness Meditation upon Therapeutic Practice
• 1995-1997 Post-Graduate Diploma in Dance Movement Therapy, Laban Centre, validated by City University
• 1994-1995 Professional Diploma in Dance Studies, Laban Centre, London

Academic Work

• 2021 onwards Course Leader, Existential Pathway, MA Year 3 and PGCEP, Regent’s University
• 2021 onwards Assistant Professor, Regent’s University, London
• 2018-2021 Visiting Lecturer, in Existential Psychotherapy, Regent’s University
• 2009-2011 Visiting Lecturer in Dance Movement Psychotherapy, Goldsmith’s College
• 2007-2011 Visiting Lecturer in Existential Psychotherapy, Regent’s College
• 2001-2003 Lecturer in Drama Studies, Westminster Adult Education Service
• 1998-1999 Lecturer in Dance Movement Therapy, Laban Centre

Professional Experience

• 2020 onwards Independently Contracted Psychotherapist, ICAP, London
• 2018 onwards Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor, Private Practice, London
• 2012-2018 Full time focus upon Buddhist Studies including three-year meditation retreat, Nepal
• 2008-2011 Psychotherapy Supervisor, Private Practice, London
• 2006-2011 Psychotherapist, Private Practice, London
• 2004-2011 Services Manager and Psychotherapist, Respond, London
• 2001-2004 Project Manager, Equal People, London
• 1997-1999 Project Manager and Dance Movement Therapist, People to People, London
• 1996-1999 Dance Movement Therapist, The Stockwell School, London

• 2025, Existential Therapy and the Ethics of Access. Wisdom in Practice: From Existential Training to Therapeutic Encounter. Federation for Existential Therapy in Europe Conference, Rome.
• 2021, Becoming Embodied Again: Wisdom In and Through the Body. Science & Wisdom LIVE Podcast, May 2021.
• 2020, A Phenomenological Reflection Upon the Benefits of Tibetan Movement within an Embodied Approach to Existential Psychotherapy, Society for Existential Analysis Webinar Event, 25.06.20.
• Upton, J. (2020) A Phenomenological Reflection Upon the Therapeutic Benefits of Kum Nye in the Recovery from Trauma. In Existential Analysis, 31.1: January 2020.
• 2019, A Phenomenological Reflection Upon the Therapeutic Benefits of Kum Nye in the Recovery from Trauma, Society of Existential Analysis Annual Conference – Movement, Music & Metaphor, London.
• Bailey, H., Upton, J. (2011) Loving Each Other Safely, London: Royal College of Psychiatry Publications.
• 2010, You Tell Me Your Truth and I’ll Tell You Mine, 19th International Association for Forensic Psychotherapy, Tales of Transgression: Narratives in Forensic Psychotherapy, Oxford University.
• 2010, Adolescents with Learning Disabilities and Childhood Sexual Abuse, Respond Whole Again Conference, London.
• Upton, J. (2009) When Words Are Not Enough. In Cottis (ed), Intellectual Disabilities, Trauma and Psychotherapy, London: Routledge.
• 2009, Risk Assessments for Young Abusers, IPD Conference, London.
• 2007, Young People with Learning Disabilities who Sexually Abuse, Community Care Conference Sexually Harmful Behaviour in Young People, London.
• 2006, The Use of Creative Expression and Projective Techniques, 15th Anniversary Respond Conference, London.

Jason's research explores the role of the body in trauma, with a focus on embodied approaches to psychotherapy that integrate movement, breath, and somatic awareness. He is particularly interested in the intersection of phenomenology and contemplative practices, examining how traditions such as meditation and Dzogchen illuminate the structures of sense perception, awareness, and non-conceptual experience.

He is further interested in existential perspectives on normativity and non-normativity, with attention to identity, temporality, and lived experience. He is also engaged in developing the philosophical foundations of psychotherapy pedagogy, reflecting on how phenomenological and dialogical approaches can support ethical, critical, and experiential modes of learning in both psychotherapy and philosophy education.

Underlying much of Jason's work is an inquiry into the ethical dimension of human existence, not as a system of norms, but as a lived responsiveness to others. Drawing on existential and phenomenological perspectives, he explores how presence, vulnerability, and responsibility emerge in relational and therapeutic contexts.

• 2021 Fellowship, Higher Education Authority
• 2019 onwards UK Council for Psychotherapy, Full Clinical Psychotherapist Membership
• 2018 onwards Society for Existential Analysis, Full Membership
• 2006-2011 UK Council for Psychotherapy, Full Clinical Psychotherapist Membership
• 2005-2011 Society for Existential Analysis, Full Membership
• 1997-2011 UK Association of Dance Movement Psychotherapy, Professional Registration Membership

Teaching across post-graduate psychotherapy courses with a particular focus on existential and phenomenological approaches. Teaching modules have included:

Intersubjectivity (PGCert in Existential Psychotherapy): Exploring philosophical perspectives on intersubjectivity and its application to therapeutic practice.

Training Supervision (MA Year 3 and PGCEP): Supporting students to develop reflexivity, clinical depth, and ethical sensitivity through phenomenologically informed supervision.

Introduction to Existential Psychotherapy (MA Year 1): Introducing core existential ideas, historical roots, and their therapeutic application.

Existential Skills (MA Year 1): Introducing students to an embodied, phenomenological approach to existential therapy.

Contributed to the design and development of training pathways that draw upon existential-phenomenological philosophies as the basis for psychotherapy. These include:

MProf in Existential Psychotherapy: A new professional post-graduate training programme in existential philosophy, clinical practice, and practitioner research.

Post-graduate Certificate in Existential Psychotherapy: An advanced training designed for final year students, combining philosophical inquiry with therapeutic practice and supervision.