About me
Hello, I'm James.
For the past 23 years, I have used talking therapies to support those suffering from depression, trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), childhood and relational abuse, anxiety, acute stress, bereavement, and relationship concerns. I have delivered counselling to the armed forces community in both hospitals and domestic settings, for the NHS Primary Care Services in North Wales to patients referred by mental health teams and the GP, and in private practice both face-to-face and online.
I am trained in counselling and psychotherapy having achieved a distinction at Masters Degree and have attended an array of development courses over the years to ensure I can effectively deliver the right tools and methods. These courses and my experience has enabled me to work successfully with:
- PTSD & Trauma
- Survivors of Sexual Abuse
- Bereavement & Loss
- Stress Management
- Mindfulness
- Depression & Anxiety
- Family Dynamics & Systems
- Relationships and Attachment
Having worked with thousands of clients covering many different difficulties and challenges, I have learned that good therapy is about the relationship created. It is vital that you feel safe, respected, and supported from start to finish.
As every person who walks into my practice room is unique, it is only right that you receive the therapy you need. To help with this, I offer an integrative approach, which means I can draw from a broad field of therapeutic approaches, models, and tools that are research-based and effective.
I believe that good therapy moves beyond problem exploration and healing, to development and growth. Together we can identify and process any difficulties you face, whilst also considering how you will shape your life to feel more meaningful and happy.
I deliver sessions face-to-face in my practice room or online via Zoom or WhatsApp, If you are new to therapy, then you can rest assured that I will support you through the process to ensure that you get the best out of our time together. It’s easy when you know how!
I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) and strictly adhere to their framework and ethical guidelines, which can be found at: https://www.bacp.co.uk/events-and-resources/ethics-and-standards/
What can you expect from me?
As developing the therapeutic relationship is of the utmost importance, I will bring my whole self into the work we do and invite you to do the same. Genuineness, trust, and empathy are key to ensuring that you feel valued, listened to, and validated, which in turn will enable you to make the changes you seek in time.
How do we begin?
Once you get in touch, via email or telephone, we can arrange an initial free 30-minute consultation. This lets us meet each other and begin to get to know what working together will be like. I will also provide you with information about the therapy process to ensure that you feel safe and secure. You will be invited to ask any questions you may have so that you can finish the consultation feeling clear about what therapy is and how it might help, support, and enable you.
The 1st session
Here we begin to shape your therapy outcome(s), so that we can measure your progress and growth through the sessions. This session will last for 50-60 minutes and, for some clients, can even be enough for them. Alternatively, it may become clear that further sessions will be useful to you.
Further sessions
Ongoing sessions are 50-60 minutes long and typically occur more frequently to begin with (weekly or fortnightly). Many clients find that they benefit from a limited number of sessions, where as others need a longer approach You can rest assured that I will walk with you for as long as you need me.
Ending
At a certain point, it can become clear that working together has either enabled you to achieve the goals and aims you had, or that you are in a better place to be able to achieve them for yourself without therapy. If this is the case, then we can agree to end our work together. Although this can sometimes feel worrying or even a little sad, it is a very positive step in your journey as it demonstrates that growth or change has occurred for you.
Training, qualifications & experience
- 2021 - MSc Counselling (Bangor University)
- 2020 - Training in ACT for Health Care Professionals (The Conwy Counsellors)
- 2018 - Mental Health First Aid (CVSC)
- 2014 - Mindfulness Teacher – Level 1 (Oxford & Bangor University)
- 2014 - Level 3 Award in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (HABC)
- 2014 - Diploma in Stress Management (International Stress Management Association
- 2013 - Hypnotherapy Certificate (ACMH)
- 2012 - Domestic Abuse Awareness (Army Welfare Service)
- 2012 - Developing Practice - Case Conference & Core Groups (Shropshire Safeguarding Children Board)
- 2011 - Supervision for Supervisors (Joint Service School of Specialist Welfare)
- 2011 - Safeguarding for Managers (Joint Service School of Specialist Welfare)
- 2011 - Complex Casualty Training (Defence Academy Shrivenham)
- 2010 - Exploring Psychology (OU)
- 2010 - Issues in Fostering For Carers & Children (Telford & Wrekin Safeguarding Board)
- 2008 - A Solution-Focused Approach to Working With Battlefield Trauma & Stress
- 2007 - NLP Practitioner certificate
- 2006 - A Solution-Focused Approach to Working With Adult Survivors of Abuse & Trauma (John Hendon Associates)
- 2006 - Equal opportunities Adviser (Defence Academy Shrivenham)
- 2006 - Performance Coaching Certificate (Coaching Academy)
- 2006 - Working with Couples (Relate)
- 2004 - Solution-Focussed Therapy for Trauma & Stress (John Hendon Associates)
- 2003 - Counselling Skills Training
- 2003 - Counselling Skills (Person-Centred & Solution-Focussed Approaches)
My 21 years of using talking therapies began working alongside armed forces personnel and their families. In this arena, I gained extensive experience working with those who had suffered trauma, physical injury, early life abuse, bereavement, and relationship difficulties. During this time I worked in hospital settings and various locations throughout the UK.
Over the last 10 years, I have worked in private practice and more recently completed the Masters in Counselling, whilst supporting patients as part of the NHS Primary Care Service. I am an Individual Member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) and have recently assisted in lecturing on the MSc Counselling at Bangor University.
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
- Armed/Emergency Services & Veterans
- Coaching
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£90.00 per session
Free initial in-person, telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
£90 per session for online/face-to-face counselling or coaching.
£90 per session for online/face-to-face mindfulness teaching.
When I work
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I can only guarantee a response to enquiries during my open hours (Tuesday - Friday 1pm - 6:30pm). I am unable to respond outside of these times due to other commitments.
Further information
If you would like to arrange for me to give your team or organisation a talk or training relating to therapy or mindfulness, then do please get in touch.
Onsite delivery, my fees are:
Full-day rate£1000/Half-day rate £500 (plus travel, accommodation, and subsistence expenses).
Online delivery fees to groups are
'Resilience Toolkit @ £100 per session
'Mindfulness In our Lives' @ £200 per session.
For more information or to book a course please visit my website @ www.auctustraining.co.uk or call 07929 341114.
