Counselling and Psychotherapy

With me, therapy is a space to be real, not fixed.

I’m James, a qualified psychotherapist offering a mindful, relational approach to counselling. I work primarily from a humanistic, person-centred foundation, integrating psychodynamic and existential ideas, with occasional CBT techniques where helpful. This means I tailor the work to you, focusing on patterns, self-awareness, and mindful change.

I believe growth often comes through a paradox: not everything needs to be changed. Experiences such as isolation, uncertainty, or meaninglessness aren’t always “solved” through technique, but explored, understood, and made sense of in a way that feels true to you.

Alongside support, I value gentle challenge; helping you reflect on patterns in yourself and your relationships. I also have a strong interest in how wider influences, such as culture, society, and diagnostic frameworks, can shape how we see ourselves, and where appropriate, we can explore this together.

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Process

Starting therapy is a big step, and it’s natural to feel unsure about what to expect. At Mindful Changes, I believe finding the right therapist is about building a connection that feels safe, supportive, and understanding. To help you feel more at ease, I’ve outlined our approach and what you can expect as we move through this process together.

Initial Contact

"Taking the First Step"
You can get in touch through this website, by email, phone, or SMS. You’re welcome to share a little about what brings you to therapy, or simply let me know you’d like to connect. A therapist (James) will be in touch within a couple of days to arrange a convenient time for an introductory call.

Introductory Call

"Brief Informal Conversation"
Your therapist will arrange a brief 15-minute call to answer questions and see if working together feels like a good fit. If you decide to continue, you’ll receive a welcome pack with key information, and together you’ll agree on a regular time to meet, either online or in person.

Assessment

"Getting a Clearer Picture"
In the early stage of therapy, we usually spend 4–6 sessions exploring what has brought you here, what you hope to gain, and how we might best support you. These sessions are about beginning to build a trusting connection while developing an understanding of your situation — both in the present and from your past.

Ongoing Therapy

"The Heart of the Work"
Once regular sessions begin, you and your therapist will explore your thoughts, feelings, and patterns at a pace that feels comfortable and meaningful. This stage is collaborative and flexible, focusing on creating the changes you’ve agreed to work toward together.

Closing

"Bringing Therapy to a Close"
When the time feels right, we’ll work together to plan a thoughtful ending. This may happen gradually or as part of a more structured process, with space to reflect on your progress, what you’ve learned, and the steps ahead. You’ll also be supported in carrying these insights and strategies into your everyday life, helping you continue your growth beyond our sessions.

Talking Therapies

I offer a safe, supportive space where you can explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences without judgement. My approach is grounded in Person-Centred Counselling (PCC), focusing on building a genuine therapeutic relationship that allows you to feel heard and understood. Alongside this, I integrate tools from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Psychodynamic, Transactional Analysis and psycho-education when these feel helpful to your journey.

Intervention

Sometimes difficulties can feel overwhelming, and targeted support is needed to break patterns that are causing distress. In sessions, I provide practical interventions such as CBT techniques for managing unhelpful thoughts, grounding strategies for anxiety, and relapse prevention tools for those struggling with addictive behaviours. Interventions are always collaborative, ensuring you feel empowered and supported in taking positive steps forward.

Prevention

Therapy is not only about healing past wounds but also about building resilience for the future. We’ll work on developing coping strategies, stress management techniques, and self-awareness practices that can help prevent difficulties from escalating. This proactive approach supports long-term emotional wellbeing and equips you with the tools to navigate life’s challenges with greater confidence.

What I Can Help With:

I support clients with a wide range of issues, including:

Anxiety, panic, and avoidance cycles
Depression and low mood
Addiction, Chemsex, relapse prevention, and cycles of shame/guilt
Grief and loss
Relationship difficulties and communication struggles
Trauma and emotional regulation
Low self-esteem and self-worth
Coping with stress, overwhelm, and life changes
Gender, Sexual and Relationship Diversity
Neurodiversity
LGBTQIA+

Services

Therapist

Hi, I'm James - a down-to-earth counsellor psychotherapist from Manchester.

I am a qualified and registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), offering both in-person sessions at Moorside Therapy Rooms in Oldham and flexible online counselling.

I hold a BSc (Hons) in Counselling and Psychotherapy and have continued my academic development at a higher level. My integrative training allows me to draw from a range of approaches to best support each individual client.

Alongside my private practice, I work part-time as a Mental Health Practitioner in Manchester, gaining experience within a multidisciplinary setting. I have also worked in the voluntary sector, including at Rochdale Connections Trust supporting those affected by domestic violence, and at Side by Side Counselling as a managerial counsellor.

These experiences have shaped my understanding of complex emotional difficulties and underpin my commitment to offering ethical, compassionate, and accessible support in a grounded and relational way.

I see therapy as a mindful and relational process that supports meaningful, lasting change. At times, this involves embracing a paradox—recognising that not everything needs to be “fixed.” Some experiences, such as grief, loss, or isolation, may instead need space to be felt, understood, and integrated.

I offer a safe, supportive, and non-judgemental space where you can reflect, gain clarity, and begin to move forward at your own pace. My approach is primarily humanistic and person-centred, meaning you remain at the heart of the work. I also integrate psychodynamic, existential, and cognitive behavioural perspectives where helpful, allowing therapy to adapt to your needs.

Alongside warmth and empathy, I value honesty and depth within the therapeutic relationship. This can include gentle challenge and thoughtful exploration, helping to bring awareness to patterns that may otherwise go unnoticed. At times, we may focus on what is happening in the here-and-now between us, using the relationship itself as a way of understanding how you relate to yourself and others.

I have a particular interest in supporting clients to develop a more compassionate relationship with themselves. This may include inner child work and experiential techniques such as two-chair dialogue, offering space to explore different or conflicting parts of your experience. I also draw on existential ideas, exploring themes such as meaning, identity, isolation, and life’s uncertainties.

My academic interests centre around systemic, cultural, and diagnostic influences on mental health, particularly how these shape identity, distress, and the narratives we hold about ourselves. Where relevant, I welcome open exploration of how your environment and wider context may have impacted your experiences.

At the heart of my work is relationship—not as an expert telling you what to do, but as a real person walking alongside you. Together, we can make sense of your experiences, recognise your strengths, and work towards meaningful change.

Outside of therapy, I value balance, connection, and experiences that bring a sense of aliveness. I enjoy reading, attending live music events and festivals across the UK—where I also volunteer as part of a welfare team—and spending time with family and walking my dog in nature. I hold a personal interest in spirituality, particularly exploring aspects of Buddhism and ethics, and how these ideas can support a more mindful and intentional way of livin.