Ben James Counselling & Psychotherapy
      West London and The City

Qualifications and Accreditation

B.A. (Hons) English Literature & Art History (Oxford)
Certificate in Fundamentals of Counselling & Psychotherapy
Diploma in Transpersonal Counselling & Psychotherapy
M.A. (Distinction) Transpersonal Counselling & Psychotherapy
Diploma in Integrative Supervision

UKCP Registered Psychotherapist
Member of the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy

Before becoming a psychotherapist I worked in the voluntary sector as an advocate for asylum seekers and then as a fundraiser for disadvantaged young people. It was partly through these experiences, as well as a desire to understand myself more deeply, that I decided to take the step and undertake what I have come to believe for many is a vocational training.

My training
My training took 8 years, during which I worked as a counsellor in both the voluntary sector and the NHS, as well as in private practice. At this point I gained invaluable experience working with a wide range of issues common to people who seek therapy, such as family and relationship issues, depression and life crisis.

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.

Specialism
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.

I also work as a consultant for various EAP (Employee Assistance Programmes), counselling employees from a wide range of Corporate and Statutory organisations in areas ranging from work-based stress to depression and anxiety-related difficulties.


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 vital to good counselling or psychotherapy.

Continuity, safety, professionalism, combined with integrity and warmth, are all important ingredients that help build the right conditions within which the changes you want to make can occur.



Counselling, Psychotherapy and Supervision serving: West London, including: Paddington, Little Venice, Maida Vale, Warwick Avenue, St. John’s Wood, Marylebone, Kilburn, Bayswater, Royal Oak, Notting Hill, The City: St.Paul's, Temple, Blackfriars, Bank, Holborn, Farringdon.