James Bushnell, BACP

James Bushnell is a counsellor based in the United Kingdom who helps people manage stress, anxiety, addiction concerns and relationship difficulties. He also supports people dealing with low self-esteem, grief, career uncertainty and the emotional strain that comes with major life changes. He aims to work without judgement and treats people with sensitivity and respect.

James practises in a client-led, person-centred way. That means he listens first and helps people find their own answers. He also draws on cognitive behavioural ideas to spot unhelpful thinking patterns and on psychodynamic thinking to look at how past experiences shape current feelings.

Sessions are framed as a collaboration. James says therapy works best when counsellor and client agree on where to focus and how to move forward. He tailors the work to each person’s needs rather than using a one-size-fits-all method.

Over seven years he has worked with issues such as codependency, communication problems, anger, addiction to drugs or alcohol, and feelings of emptiness or isolation. He also supports people coping with caregiver stress, infidelity, separation and the shame or guilt that can follow difficult life events.

People who prefer a straightforward, respectful approach may find his style helpful. He outlines steps together with clients and keeps the pace appropriate to what each person can handle. If you want a calm, collaborative counsellor, James offers a way to explore concerns and try different ways forward.

How these approaches translate to online counselling

Client-Centred Therapy puts the person’s priorities at the centre of each session. The counsellor listens carefully, reflects what is said, and helps the client steer the direction of the work. This approach helps when people want support to make sense of feelings, decisions or relationship patterns.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and testing them with practical steps. It often involves simple exercises between sessions to try different ways of reacting, which can be helpful for anxiety, stress and low mood.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The counsellor will talk with the client about goals and preferences and then try methods that suit those aims. This is a collaborative process and can be adjusted as the sessions progress.

Online therapy can fit more easily into a busy life by reducing travel and making scheduling simpler. It can make it quicker to have regular check-ins or short sessions when needed. Confirm the current session options before booking so you know how the counsellor is offering appointments, and then plan sessions to match your daily routine.