Company Profile

The first year of my training was spent learning about the fundamentals of counselling and psychotherapy, followed by 4 years at post-graduate Diploma level, where emphasis was placed on combining theoretical and experiential learning – meaning students were required to delve more deeply into their own process as well as develop a solid grounding in theory and practice.

I spent a further 2 years undertaking a Masters in Transpersonal Counselling & Psychotherapy, in which I achieved a Distinction. This was a difficult and challenging, but truly transformative stage.

It was at this time that I developed a specialist interest in relationship and psychosexual issues, addiction and sexual compulsivity, and sexual identity.

Finally, I completed my advanced training with a 1 year programme in Integrative Supervision, and now combine my work as a counsellor and psychotherapist with that of supervisor to other practitioners and psychotherapy students in training.

I have now been working in the field for over 10 years.

As well as running a busy private practice, for the last 5 years I have worked as a member of staff on the Diploma programme at the Centre for Counselling & Psychotherapy Education, supervising and group facilitating prospective students and 2nd and 3rd year Diploma students.

My approach
Underpinning my approach is the importance of the relationship between therapist and client, or supervisor and therapist. So while trust takes time to establish in any relationship, I believe it is key to good counselling, psychotherapy and supervision.

Continuity, safety, professionalism, combined with integrity and warmth, are all important ingredients that help build the right conditions within which insights and change can occur.


How I work
Although I draw from a wide range of modalities or schools of thought (in other words an integrative approach), my work is under-pinned by working in a way that combines the intuitive and the analytic.

I tend to use the initial assessment as an opportunity to gather history and information on what you are looking to work on and change. It is also a chance to get a feel for whether we can work together. Both these will help me to evaluate whether I am the right therapist for you. The initial meeting is also an opportunity for you to get a feel for whether you would like to work with me.

In either counselling, psychotherapy or supervision, I am conscious of how building trust can take time, and am always respectful of the pace at which you need to work.


Who I work with
I welcome working with women and men of all ages regardless of sexuality, cultural/religious background and nationality, and my experience covers a wide range of issues, including:

•General dissatisfaction with life, feeling stuck
•Relationship issues; inc. repeating the same patterns
•Self-esteem issues
•Work issues
•Men’s issues
•Women’s issues
•Sex and sexuality issues
•Depression
•Addiction
•Loss and bereavement
•Gay, lesbian and bisexual issues
•Life choices and indecision
•Stress and anxiety
•Anger
•Abuse
•Phobias
•Eating disorders
Stuck creativity
•Spiritual crisis
•Difficulties arising from family life



Area of specialism
I specialise in relationship and psychosexual issues, addictions, sexual compulsivity and sexual identity.


An integrative approach
My overall training and approach is Integrative, which means that in practice I draw from a variety of modalities or schools of thought, incorporating them into the work when appropriate. To some extent the personality of the client will determine which modality or modalities are applied. For example, while one person may be more comfortable drawing images as a means of self-expression, another may be more comfortable using words, whilst another may be comfortable with both.

If you have previously used the services of Ben James Counselling Ltd. for any counselling services please leave a ranking for Ben James Counselling Ltd. and also if you have the time a review so others can read about your experience and make an informed decision as to whether or not this counsellor London they wish to use.