ALUMNI STORIES
Keele alumnus Joshua Fletcher has dedicated the last decade to helping people understand and overcome anxiety. Through his initiative, The School of Anxiety, Josh delivers psychotherapy, consultancy, workshops, and keynote talks, empowering people and organisations to prioritise mental health and wellbeing.
22 | FOREVER Keele
ALUMNI STORIES
The School of Anxiety’ s Joshua Fletcher on learning, growth, and empowering others to thrive
Keele alumnus Joshua Fletcher has dedicated the last decade to helping people understand and overcome anxiety. Through his initiative, The School of Anxiety, Josh delivers psychotherapy, consultancy, workshops, and keynote talks, empowering people and organisations to prioritise mental health and wellbeing.
Now a three-time bestselling author and psychotherapist in his thriving private practice The Panic Room, Josh supports a community of over 300,000 people navigating their own mental health journeys. As a TEDx and professional speaker, co-host of the hugely popular Disordered podcast, and thought leader on anxiety disorders, two days rarely look the same. Nonetheless, acknowledging the importance of rest and recuperation, he also speaks candidly about making space to travel, see friends and family, and recharge with sausage dog Strudel by his side.
Josh graduated with Distinction from Keele University in 2017 with an MSc in Counselling Psychology.“ If I hadn’ t had my MSc training to be a psychotherapist, I categorically wouldn’ t be here now”, he says,“ the course was essential to a career I am very happy with and proud of”.
Josh reflects fondly on his time spent at Keele, from enjoying a pint in the Keele Postgraduate Association bar with supportive colleagues“ who were friends and tutors”, to late night studying in the library.“ I will always look back very fondly at Keele”, he says,“ It was a beautiful time of my life. It also taught me that I am more capable than I think. I came away from that MSc with more selfbelief and so much knowledge to take into the big wide world”. Hailing from Manchester,“ a city full of distractions”, the peace and quiet of the Keele Bubble helped Josh to really focus on his studies – leading to great things.
Josh can list an impressive number of career highlights and hobbies, including public speaking for organisations and festivals, reading and studying, and collaborating with other experts in the field of anxiety disorders. Showing that his hard work pays off, he also reflects on how rewarding it is being able to spot his own books in bookshops.