My name is James and the way I practise psychotherapy is largely very simple and straightforward.

I believe that the majority of the suffering that we experience comes from our attitude to what is happening. As a Greek philosopher (Epictetus) wrote nearly two thousand years ago: "People suffer not because of what happens to them, but because of their thoughts about what happens."

I always explore a client’s life from the perspective of attachment theory. This is a psychological theory concerning early relationships between human beings. Attachment theory proposes that young children need to develop a healthy, consistent, “good-enough” relationship with at least one primary caregiver for normal social and emotional development. This gentle exploration always reveals insights into the client’s present issues and possible ways to address them.

I have worked with addictions for many years, including at The Roehampton Priory between 2001-2008, and I consequently have a wealth of experience in that field. I do, however, believe that viewing any issue as an addiction to thought, emotion or behaviour can potentially prove very helpful. 

I see counselling as far more about self-exploration and self-development than 'fixing' areas of ourselves or our lives that have been labelled dysfunctional.

In addition, the evolving experience of parenting a now twelve-year-old daughter has contributed to the simplification of many of my previous perceptions of life, and some of the apparent complexities of psychotherapy also.

In our sessions together, we can consider alternative perceptions of your self, your life, and your past, present and future. We can explore the web of rigid judgement you and others have constructed, and consider radically different possibilities bringing self-acceptance, healing and peace.

If any of this sounds helpful to you, please get in touch and we can discuss your situation in more depth.

Take care.