I’m James – I am a warm, engaged and open-minded therapist working in Exeter and online.
You are likely here because something in your life feels difficult, stuck, painful, or in need of change. I work with a range of clients, helping people deepen their self-understanding, process difficult experiences, and improve their wellbeing. I am well qualified, experienced and BACP-registered.
Many people come to therapy feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or alone with what they are experiencing. Our work together can help you feel more grounded, clearer about yourself, and more able to move forward in your life.
My approach is warm, thoughtful, and grounded in well-established psychotherapeutic practice. Together we can begin to figure things out.
I offer counselling and psychotherapy to individuals, couples and small groups, in Exeter and online. I also offer walking therapy.
I offer one free exploratory session to everyone to give you a chance to get a feel for the therapy I offer.
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”
Carl Rogers, On Becoming a Person
Areas of therapeutic work
Trying to separate one area of therapeutic work from another can be a little artificial. At the same time, if you are struggling in a particular way it can be helpful to know that your therapist is equipped to support you. I have experience with a range of emotional, relational, and existential difficulties.
Emotional and psychological:
- depression
- anxiety
- stress
- anger
- addiction
- trauma and PTSD
- self-harm
- suicidality
Relationships and identity:
- relationship difficulty, including work with couples
- bereavement and grief
- loneliness
- exploration of sexuality and coming out
- exploration of gender identity
- polyamory, non-monogamy and open relating
Meaning and personal development:
- low self-esteem or confidence
- feelings of being lost or uncertain
- working on self-awareness and self-development
- loss of meaning
- death and mortality
- spirituality
- psychedelic integration
If what you are struggling with that is not listed here, please feel free to be in touch and we can explore what you are facing and whether I might be able to help.
My approach – Supporting you in your journey
I am trained in person-centred psychotherapeutic counselling. Ultimately, my work is to support you in your own therapeutic journey.
I offer a therapeutic relationship where you are safe, accepted, supported, and appreciated. Together, we’ll explore what you’re experiencing. I will work to support you in healing where needed, and to help deepen your self-awareness and self-acceptance so that you can figure out next steps that are true to you.
“The gentle and sensitive companionship of an empathic stance… provides illumination and healing.“
Carl Rogers, A Way of Being
Whilst it doesn’t have to, it is the case for many people that our work will involve connecting with painful or confusing thoughts and feelings. Our sessions can be a space to cry, rage, ponder, and laugh — you are free to bring all and any experiences into our sessions. We’ll make sense of them as they are, and find a way forward.
I’ve studied a variety of psychological and psychotherapeutic theories which underpin my work. Sometimes we might bring these ideas into our conversations, if it feels helpful. I also welcome exploring any theories or perspectives you find meaningful or relevant.
At the same time, unlike some forms of therapy, our sessions won’t generally be led by theory. My role is to hold a safe, non-judgmental space where you are supported in your own therapeutic process. I will offer you my full and engaged attention and offer reflections, questions, and alternative perspectives where experience suggests this might be helpful. The value of this relational approach to therapy is supported by a strong body of research (see these meta-analyses, for example).
“I have come to feel that the only learning which significantly influences behaviour is self-discovered, self-appropriated learning.”
Carl Rogers, On Becoming a Person
Many people find that this kind of work helps them feel less anxious, more integrated, and more at ease in themselves. Sometimes change is gradual, but it can bring a deeper sense of agency, clarity, and enjoyment of life.
As a person-centred therapist I am deeply influenced by the work of psychologist, researcher and philosopher Carl Rogers (who was one of the leading figures in humanistic psychotherapy). Amongst many others, I am also influenced by Dr. Daniel Siegel, particularly his work on integrating experience, and by Dr. Tara Brach and her work on radical acceptance. If you would like to read more about how I work, please click here.
“The boundary to what we can accept is the boundary to our freedom.”
Tara Brach, Radical Acceptance
If this approach sounds like it might be of value to you, please feel free to get in touch. I offer a free exploratory session so you can get a feel for working together, without any commitment or pressure.
Where does therapy take place?
I offer counselling and psychotherapy both online and in person in Exeter. I can also offer walking therapy.
Online sessions take place on Zoom.
In person sessions take place in our therapy room set within a small nature garden, located in the Polsloe/Heavitree area of Exeter. It is a calm, private setting designed so you can feel comfortable and are able to speak openly and express yourself freely.
If you prefer being outdoors and moving during our sessions I also offer walking therapy nearby. Walking sessions can take place in Higher Cemetery or Mincinglake Valley Park in Exeter. (Some clients alternate between ‘in-room’ and walking sessions depending on the weather and how they are feeling on a particular day).
Session fees
My standard fee is £70 per session.
It is important to me that therapy is as accessible as possible and I think carefully about session fees, trying to balance the need to make an income alongside making therapy affordable for people. If this fee would make ongoing therapy too costly for you but you would like to work with me, please feel free to be in touch. When I have space I offer some sessions each week on a reduced fee or low cost basis. (If I don’t have space I can point you in the direction of someone who does). I am also happy to offer a reduced fee for those training to become counsellors and therapists.
Sessions usually last 60 minutes, with evening sessions (after 5.30pm) lasting 50 minutes. If you feel a different session length would suit you better, I’m happy to discuss options.
Most clients have sessions weekly or fortnightly, but the schedule can be flexible to fit your needs.
Please note I have a 48-hour session cancellation policy. If you’d like to read more about this policy before contacting me, please click here.
If you have any questions about fees, payment, or scheduling, please feel free to be in touch.
More about me
I am a father of two in my late 30s living in Exeter. We previously lived in London, and I still love the city. Now, though, my partner and I have chosen to be in Exeter as we find it a great place for our young family. We have found good friends and a growing sense of community here. We enjoy days in the park, at the beach and on Dartmoor. We also enjoy times sitting with friends around a fire in the evening. I have also enjoyed meeting a very interesting group of people locally whilst studying a PG Cert in Psychedelics at Exeter University.
In my own time I enjoy walks on the Moor, socialising, listening to music, going to the occassional gig, thinking and studying. (I am a “sociable introvert” at heart).
I practice mindfulness and whilst I am not an adherent to any particular religion, I am open about the importance of a sense of spirituality in my life. I have an interest in Buddhist, Hindu and Taoist thought, as well as Western philosophy, psychology and Christian spirituality. These diverse traditions give me a perspective from which I find a lot of meaning in working as a therapist.
My journey to becoming a therapist
I won’t go into detail here (although you are free to ask when we meet) but my own childhood was not entirely straightforward. I was affected by situations within my family and also by the cultural context and messages I received from a young age. I did well at school (I happen to have the right kind of brain and temperament for that kind of learning) but experienced periods of difficulty from a relatively young age.
After leaving school I studied for a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and then went on to do an MA in Philosophy. (My focus was on the philosophy of ethics).
I have always enjoyed being outdoors. Whilst I was at university I trained to be an outdoor instructor and expedition leader (qualifying as a Mountain Leader with the Mountain Training Association). Whilst I was studying, and for a few years after I worked freelance on everything from small jobs with younger children camping in school fields through to mountain expeditions in the Scottish Highlands. I also did some overseas work – trips leading groups in Mongolia and the Himalayas stand out as particular highlights. These were some very enjoyable years of work.
Whilst I really enjoyed working in the outdoors, by my late twenties I wanted a more settled life, and I trained to be a teacher (gaining a PGCE). I spent 9 years teaching economics in inner-London schools. I gained as much education as I gave from some very inspirational young people – it was really tough but I gained a huge amount from my experience as a teacher (not least a little more humility!).
During my time teaching, a friend of mine started seeing a therapist, and whilst I wasn’t quite ready to admit that I was struggling, knowing that my friend was going made it easier for me to explore therapy as an option for myself. I was lucky enough to find Charles Olivier. I am very grateful for Charles’ work with me. It allowed me to reconnect with some difficult emotions and I was able to start making decisions which served me and those around me better. I still model some aspects of my practice on the way Charles worked with me.
Feeling the impact therapy was having on me I became very interested in psychology, initially doing a Graduate Certificate in Psychology. This led me on to doing several counselling courses and eventually applying to study person-centred therapy at the Metanoia Institute in London. I spent 3 intensive years training at Metanoia gaining a degree level Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling, which is the basis upon which I work.
I continue to study psychology, philosophy, and psychotherapy, both for my own interest and to develop my practice with clients. I am currently working on an MSc in person-centred psychotherapy.
A list of my academic and professional qualifications is available here.
Contacting James
If you would like to book an exploratory session, in Exeter or online, or just ask a question, please follow the link below.