Dr Chris James

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Consultant Clinical Psychologist, DClinPsych CPsychol

About me

WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS - Including adolescents/families - (updated April 2026)

I run an online clinical psychology practice - ChangeUp Psychology. My team are united by a shared commitment to thoughtful, evidence-based psychology support. We practise in a way that protects the conditions where meaningful change happens. Not rushed, transactional, or driven by a one-size-fits-all model. Instead, we provide steady, reflective work with the depth needed to make real and lasting change possible.

We offer online appointments via video call to adults, families and young people all over the UK. We are currently accepting new clients.

We pride ourselves in offering high quality, evidence-based support that is expertly tailored to your specific needs.

Psychological support is about investing in you. Life can be chaotic, intense, confusing, and we can be left feeling disconnected from ourselves, our lives, and the people around us. Sometimes we just need some space to stop and think. Psychological support is also about developing a deeper understanding of yourself - who you are, what you need, what matters to you. For others, it's about building on existing skills - how to get more out of relationships, improving communication, being more assertive, boosting your sleep and performance, learning to be the best version of yourself.

About me:

I'm a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and sleep and ADHD specialist with 20+ years of experience providing evidence-based psychological interventions and support for a range of difficulties including insomnia, adult ADHD, anxiety, work-related stress and burnout, trauma, OCD, health anxiety, phobias, self-esteem issues and relationship difficulties.

As well as running a busy clinical psychology clinic, I'm the founder and director of Sleep Athletic, providing expert sleep support, training and consultation to professional sports teams and elite athletes, including Premier League, WSL, national football teams, olympians and pro golfers.  

I have full BABCP accreditation in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and am a BABCP accredited supervisor of CBT (training and supporting other therapists in delivering CBT). My specialisms include CBT for Insomnia (CBT-I), Adult ADHD assessment, trauma/PTSD and anxiety disorders.

I'm a qualified expert witness and regularly provide medicolegal assessments and reports for the Courts, and am proud to be an Honorary Lecturer at Cardiff University, teaching Clinical Psychology doctorate students.

Within my practice I run an ADHD assessment clinic for adults, providing screening, full assessment, report and diagnosis services as well as follow-up support sessions. 

My approach and therapeutic values:

For me, the therapeutic relationship is the foundation on which good therapy is built and experience has shown me that people who get the best results from therapy are highly motivated, brave, open, and willing to work together in a focused but flexible way. If you're interested in how psychological support may help you, feel free to contact me to discuss.

Please visit our website for more information - www.changeuppsychology.com

Training, qualifications & experience

Primary professional qualifications:

  • DClinPsych - Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Oxford University)
  • MSc Clinical Psychology
  • BSc (1st Hons) Psychology

Other qualifications and training:

  • PGCert (Distinction) in CBT Supervision - King's College London
  • International Sleep Medicine Training Course - European Sleep Research Society
  • ADHD in Adults - Assessment, Diagnosis & Treatment - UKAAN
  • BPS Full Supervision Training Programme - BPS, London
  • Newcastle Model of Supervision - BABCP, Cardiff
  • BPS Expert Witness Training Full Programme - BPS, London
  • EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner - EMDR Extra/EMDR Association UK & Ireland
  • Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) - Practitioner - Anna Freud Centre/UCL

Specialist Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and Behavioural Sleep Medicine training - Numerous training programmes and workshops completed, including bespoke individual training and consultation from internationally recognised sleep experts and attending the AASM International Sleep Conference, USA.

Current employment details:

Independent practice (2014 - Present) - Expert assessment, therapy, consultation, supervision and training. Medicolegal assessment and reporting. 

Current & recent freelance roles include:

  • Sleep specialist & mental health support to elite athletes and sports teams (Sleep Athletic)
  • Clinical Supervision services to Powys NHS & Aneurin Bevan NHS (2019 to present)
  • Consultation to Welsh Ambulance Service NHS - Sleep training
  • Non-Executive Director - Against The Odds - Education & Awareness CIC
  • Consultation to BMA/GMC re: Introduction of mentorship programme

NHS (2006 - 2020) - I have over 20 years of clinical experience, including many years spent working within the NHS. I most recently worked as the Principal Clinical Psychologist within an NHS specialist sleep service. Prior to this I worked in Secondary Care Mental Health Services with both adults and adolescents. I continue to provide Clinical Supervision to a range of therapists working within the NHS as a external consultant/supervisor, including group CBT supervision.

I am a qualified and accredited clinical supervisor (BPS & BABCP) and have much experience of supervising a range of professionals and trainee therapists.

Member organisations

Registered / Accredited

Registered / Accredited

Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.

BABCP
British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)

The BABCP is the lead organisation for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in the UK. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in the practice, theory or development of CBT. BABCP also provides accreditation for CBT therapists. BABCP accredited members adhere to the Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics in the Practice of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies, and are willing to be scrutinised in this adherence as required.

HCPC
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

The HCPC are an independent, UK-wide health regulator. They set standards of professional training, performance and conduct for 16 professions.

They keep a register of health professionals who meet their standards, and they take action if registered health professionals fall below those standards. They were created by a piece of legislation called the Health Professions Order 2001.

Registration means that a health professional meets national standards for their professional training, performance and conduct.

Accredited register membership

British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies
Accredited Register Scheme

The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.

British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies

Areas of counselling I deal with

Other areas of counselling I deal with

Treatment for insomnia: I am fully trained in CBT-I - the 'gold standard' treatment for insomnia as per NICE and WHO clinical guidelines

Adult ADHD clinic: Screening, full assessment & diagnosis, reports, follow-up therapeutic support

Therapies offered

Fees

£130.00 - £150.00

Concessions offered for

  • Students

Health Insurance/EAP

  • Aviva
  • Axa Health
  • Vitality
  • WPA
  • Allianz
  • Cigna

Additional information

Self-funding fees:

Initial consultation - prices from £195

Therapy sessions - prices from £130 

Sleep & insomnia assessment - prices from £295

ADHD initial screening & consultation - £195

ADHD diagnostic assessment - £850

Supervision, consultation and training:

Please enquire for fees

Corporate fees:

Please enquire for bespoke services and packages

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Early morning
Morning
Early afternoon
Late afternoon
Evening

Further information

Please get in touch via email or call 01873 596200 for an informal chat to discuss your needs and to arrange an initial consultation.

2 Fitzalan Road, Cardiff, Caerdydd, CF24

Type of session

Online
Phone

Types of client

Young people (13-17)
Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Families
Organisations
Employee Assistance Programme

Key details

DBS check

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

I run a virtual clinic and offer appointments by video call (Teams, FaceTime, Zoom, WhatsApp video) or by phone.

Online platforms

Whatsapp
Zoom
Google Meet
FaceTime
Microsoft Teams

Supervision

Online
Phone

Qualified and highly experienced clinical supervisor with BABCP accreditation in CBT supervision and member of BPS registered approved supervisors.

View supervision profile

Dr Chris James
Dr Chris James