James Saunders , BACP, NCPS

James Saunders is a BACP Registered and NCPS Accredited psychotherapeutic counsellor based in the United Kingdom who brings both professional training and personal experience to his practice. At 42 years old he draws on a background that includes many years in the high-pressure world of e-commerce, a period that led to burnout and prompted his own recovery from anxiety, depression, and addiction. That lived experience informs his compassionate, down-to-earth approach and helps him relate to people facing similar struggles.

After working through 12-step recovery programs and exploring spiritual psychotherapy and meditation practices, James retrained as a counsellor and completed a Level 4 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling. He combines a person-centered foundation with elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and psychodynamic thinking when appropriate, tailoring his methods to each person’s needs. James has supported people as a volunteer with Mind and as a responder for Shout 85258, and his role as a sponsor in 12-step groups has deepened his understanding of addiction and recovery.

He offers online and telephone counselling for adults and young adults (18+) across the UK, focusing on issues such as stress, anxiety, addiction, relationships, self-esteem, grief, and life transitions. James is known for empathetic listening, a relaxed nonjudgmental manner, and practical support to help clients find their own solutions. He is not currently accepting new clients.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

James works primarily from a client-centered perspective, which means he puts the person and their experience at the heart of the work. This approach focuses on empathy, active listening, and supporting clients to find their own solutions, and it can be especially helpful for relationship issues, self-esteem, and navigating life changes.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is another key element he uses when appropriate. CBT explores the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours and offers practical techniques to manage anxiety, depression, and unhelpful patterns that maintain distress.

Psychodynamic therapy is used to explore deeper patterns and early influences that shape current feelings and relationships. This approach can help people understand recurring themes such as attachment or abandonment and make sense of longstanding emotional difficulties.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. James will work with each person to identify goals, preferences, and what feels most useful, adjusting methods as the work progresses to ensure the best fit.

Online therapy through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging offers greater flexibility for people balancing work, family, or other commitments. These options make it easier to access regular support from licensed professionals without needing to travel, and they allow the therapeutic relationship to continue in ways that fit into everyday life.