Darrel L James
I am a trauma informed qualified humanistic counsellor and psychotherapist.
I offer a non-judgmental, supportive environment where you can discuss and disclose anything that is on your mind. My goal is to build a compassionate and constructive relationship, allowing you to feel comfortable and supported as we work together to address your concerns. Through this process, you will gradually develop the ability to manage your emotions independently, identifying your strengths and autonomy.
My approach is person-centred, meaning that you guide the focus of our sessions. I am here to support you as you explore your feelings about your life, its meaning, purpose, and relationships. Together, we will work towards achieving fulfilment, autonomy, and self-determination. The humanistic approach I follow emphasizes free will, self-discovery, and realizing your full potential. We will examine what makes you unique, your relationship with the world around you, and how breaking patterns can lead to fulfilling your potential.
Distress and painful memories can diminish a person’s sense of self-worth, making it challenging to recognize one’s inherent value. By exploring and enhancing your self-worth, we can facilitate emotional growth, enabling you to find your own solutions and better navigate future challenges.
Many of us need a space to discuss experiences of trauma and emotional pain. I provide a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental space where you are free to express whatever you need. Together, we will explore your story and unique perspective, working flexibly to meet your individual needs as they arise. The duration of therapy can be short or long-term, depending on your specific situation.
As a person-centred counsellor, I will encourage you to bring your own issues to the session – counselling is led by you, the client, and is not directed by me. It’s more of a collaboration between us. I will help you to explore your own concerns, feelings, beliefs, behaviour, and how you see the world which will allow you to become more self-aware and achieve greater independence.
I will also, help you to realise what resources and support are available to you that you can use to work through your own issues, build your self-confidence and appreciate that you always have options. You are the expert on yourself, as no-one else knows exactly what it’s like to be you. Each individual is unique.
I work work with young adults from 18 years of age to senior citizens.
I have a particular interest and experience in working with:
- Addictions and compulsive behaviors
- ADHD
- Anger management
- Anxiety
- Bereavement
- Burnout
- Communication challenges
- Emotional abuse
- Loneliness
- Low mood
- Low self-confidence
- Low self-esteem
- Non-monogamy
- Redundancy
- Relationship difficulties
- Self-criticism
- Sexuality
Simply sharing your private thoughts with a therapist can be profoundly healing, and I am here to support you on that journey.
Qualifications and Experience
I worked as a sessional counsellor for Platfform Wellbeing, a registered charity that has been active in mental health for over 30 years. My qualifications include an LLB, LLM (Cantab), MA and MNCPS (Acc.). I work with clients from the NHS, EAP, charities and privately. I am registered with the National Counselling and Psychotherapists Society which is approved by the Government’s Professional Standards Authority. I work in accordance with the National Counselling and Psychotherapists Society Code of Ethics.
I have a current enhanced DBS certificate which is the highest level of criminal record check carried out by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
