James Saunders , BACP, NCPS

James Saunders is a BACP Registered and NCPS Accredited psychotherapeutic counsellor based in the United Kingdom, bringing both professional training and personal experience to his practice. In his early career he worked in the high-pressure world of e-commerce with global fashion and sports brands, an environment that eventually led to burnout and the onset of anxiety, depression, and addiction. That lived experience of struggle and recovery informs his empathetic, down-to-earth approach to therapy.

After engaging with 12-step recovery programs and spiritual psychotherapy, and adopting meditation practices, James retrained as a counsellor and completed a Level 4 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling. He blends a person-centered stance with practical techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and insights from psychodynamic work, and integrates meditation coaching when appropriate. He is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and holds NCPS accreditation, indicating recognised professional standards and ongoing commitment to development.

James has supported people through roles with the Herefordshire branch of Mind and as a volunteer for Shout 85258, and his work as a sponsor in 12-step groups contributes to his understanding of addiction and recovery. He maintains continuing professional development, including training in trauma-informed practice, brief interventions for substance use, and suicide prevention. Known for a relaxed, nonjudgmental manner and attentive listening, he focuses on helping adults and young adults explore stress, anxiety, relationship and family difficulties, addiction, grief, self-esteem, and life transitions.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

James draws on client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and psychodynamic ideas to shape online work. Client-centered therapy focuses on creating an accepting, empathetic environment where the person leads the conversation and discovers their own solutions - this approach suits people seeking understanding and self-directed change. CBT offers structured techniques to identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns, which can help with anxiety, depression, stress, and addictive behaviours. Psychodynamic work explores how past experiences and unconscious patterns influence present feelings and relationships, offering depth for clients working through attachment, abandonment, and longstanding relational issues.

Finding the right mix of approaches is a collaborative process. James works with each person to understand their goals, preferences, and needs, and adapts methods over time so the work remains relevant and practical. Clients are involved in shaping the pace and focus of therapy.

Online sessions by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging make therapy more flexible and accessible for people with busy schedules, caregiving responsibilities, or mobility constraints. These formats allow regular contact, timely support between sessions, and the ability to receive therapeutic help from a licensed professional without travel, making it easier to fit therapy into everyday life.