James Yates , BACP

James Yates welcomes people who feel pulled away from their true selves and want a clearer sense of who they are. He writes simply and directly, offering a calm space where worries can be named and worked through. Many come with anxiety, low self-worth, relationship pain or grief and he focuses on helping people make small, steady changes.

James uses a person-centred approach that keeps the client’s experience at the heart of sessions. That means he listens carefully, reflects what he hears, and helps people find their own solutions rather than imposing answers. Sessions tend to be conversational and paced to each person’s comfort.

He has three years of clinical experience and is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, BACP. James has worked with people from varied cultural backgrounds and a wide range of concerns, including trauma, abuse, bereavement, intimacy-related issues, anger and career strain.

James is familiar with neurodiversity-related concerns such as autism and Asperger syndrome, and with issues around attachment, abandonment and codependency. He also supports people dealing with body image, commitment and communication problems, and feelings of emptiness or shame.

Work with James often focuses on rebuilding self-trust and practical coping skills. He helps people spot unhelpful patterns, try new ways of interacting, and make decisions that align with their values. Sessions aim to leave people feeling clearer and more able to act on what matters to them.

Person-centred approaches and flexible online care

James primarily uses a person-centred approach, which focuses on listening, empathic reflection and creating space for a person to find their own answers. This approach helps when someone is trying to rebuild self-trust, work through grief, or make sense of identity and relationship struggles.

He also draws on practical, evidence-based therapeutic techniques to help with anxiety and stress management. These techniques involve learning simple coping skills, practising slower breathing or grounding strategies, and noticing unhelpful thought patterns so they can be changed over time.

Choosing the right approach is a shared process. James will talk with the client about their goals, try different ways of working and adjust methods based on what helps most. Together they decide which techniques and session format fit the person’s needs and life commitments.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging. Video lets people use visual cues and a fuller conversational style, while phone sessions can be useful when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and messaging suit people who prefer writing or need support between scheduled talks. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, family and travel commitments.