James Vanstone, BACP, NCPS

James Vanstone focuses on people who are feeling overwhelmed, stuck or unsure how to move forward. He writes plainly and listens closely so each person can describe what matters to them. James aims to build a quick, trusting rapport and offer simple tools that can be used between sessions.

James has worked in counselling for 21 years. He uses a mix of approaches to suit the person in front of him rather than following one fixed method. Sessions often include practical steps for coping with stress, managing anxiety, or handling life changes alongside space to speak about loss, grief and relationship strain.

People come to James for help with self-esteem, motivation, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues and anger. He also works with concerns such as career stress, compassion fatigue and challenges related to adoption, attachment and caregiving. His practice includes support for people affected by domestic violence, separation and loss.

His listed approaches include Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Emotionally-Focused Therapy, plus existential perspectives. James aims to match a straightforward strategy to the person’s needs and to offer practical tools that deliver steady change over time.

James holds BACP and NCPS credentials as shown. He sees people across the United Kingdom and accepts international clients. Sessions can be arranged as video calls, phone appointments, live chat or text messaging, depending on what suits the person.

How his approach works online and why it helps

Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early relationships shape current bonds and emotional needs. Online sessions let people talk through attachment concerns, abandonment worries and intimacy issues while noticing patterns that affect current relationships.

Client-Centred Therapy puts the person’s own experience at the centre and uses warm, non-directive listening to help people find their own answers. This approach suits those who want space to reflect on grief, self-esteem or life direction while being supported rather than directed.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) concentrates on practical changes to thoughts and actions that feed anxiety, low mood and stress. Online work with CBT often includes clear tools and exercises to practise between sessions to build coping skills.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. James will discuss goals, preferences and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together the therapist and client agree which methods to try and adjust the plan as progress is made.

Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone appointments, live chat or text messaging. Video is useful for a fuller face-to-face experience, phone can fit a busy day or lower bandwidth, and messaging or live chat can work for brief check-ins or people who prefer writing. These options make it easier to attend regularly and to fit therapy around life commitments.