James McComas

I understand that many clients will be working during the day and I am available on some evenings during the week for appointments, as well as during the day.

Face to face sessions take place in secure and comfortable counselling rooms in the centre of Inverness. I am happy to give further information and directions on request.

I aim to support clients as they explore their unique situation and beliefs, enabling them to trust and understand themselves better. I help clients to Identify things that aren’t working in their lives and look at how these can be improved, so that life becomes more worthwhile and relationships with self and others more enriching.

I provide a safe space where a person can be listened to without judgement. This creates a powerful experience which can lead to lasting positive change.

I have worked as a counsellor in a number of settings including a therapy practice, a care setting, and an addictions centre. I have worked in private practice since 2020. Prior to this, I had experience in a range of roles, including as a primary school teacher.

I hold a BA (Hons) degree, an MA, a PGCE and a Higher Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy.

I am a professional member of COSCA (Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland) and BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy). I fully abide by their ethical frameworks and complaints procedures.

I am an experienced practitioner who offers individual counselling / psychotherapy from a person-centred and integrative perspective. I have particular experience of helping clients with addictions, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and low self-esteem. However, I also work with a wide range of issues including managing ADHD and autism, stress, anger management, physical health issues, assertiveness, bereavement, body image issues, sexual identity and life transitions.

In the person-centred approach we believe that the attitudes of genuineness, empathy and unconditional positive regard shown towards a client in therapy can bring about positive change.

My intention is to treat any client as an individual with unique needs and goals. In other forms of therapy, the counsellor or clinician may seen as the expert who diagnoses the patient and tells them what to do. Person centred therapy puts the client much more in the ‘driving seat’ with the client regarded as the one who ultimately has the answers. It is the counsellor’s job to help the client find these answers.

Person-centred counselling has been very well described by Tony Merry as “a sensitive exploration of a person’s inner world, a reliving in a safe and caring relationship of those things that hurt and damaged us” which can allow “the experiencing of the joys and sorrows of life more creatively and more authentically.”

The beginning of the first session typically involves an explanation of the format of sessions, confidentiality and how I work as a therapist. We will also discuss if you have any previous experience of counselling and your reasons for seeking therapy on this occasion. The rest of the session is typically taken up with further exploration of your current situation and what you wish to achieve from counselling. As a counsellor I will be primarily listening, but also reflecting, summarising, asking questions and making observations.