James Doherty

I do in person session at 'Leicester Centre for Psychodynamic Counselling', 12 Princess Road West, Leicester, LE1 6TP.

I also do online sessions.

If you are a trainee counsellor I offer a £40 per session.

Psychodynamic Therapist in Leicester – for Shame, Perfectionism & Self-Worth

Do you fear being criticised, rejected or abandoned?

Perhaps you long to be understood but worry about burdening another with your problems?

You feel sad, guilty, and being angry feels destructive. You’re pressured to be “good” or “perfect” to earn closeness – making self-assertion and conflict resolution feel impossible. You may over-idealise others, then feel like a failure in comparison. Maybe you believe self-care is selfish, and joy comes at a cost. Self-hatred feels familiar – even comforting – and there’s relief in feeling worthless.

Would you like to access real self-worth and fill that emptiness? Imagine living free from persecutory shame and guilt, relating to others with confidence, and being happy with who you are – without being self-centred. To stand up for yourself in a controlled, loving way. To build secure, respectful relationships without fear of rejection. To finally allow joy and opportunity.

Through warm curiosity, we’ll uncover the roots of depression and anxiety – not just “cope.” You’ll gain deep insight, untangle years of pain, and move toward lasting change. Issues from past relationships can be healed in therapy, without shame. We’ll explore your experiences, thoughts, and dreams – safely, without intrusion.

I specialise in:

• Chronic shame, self-criticism, and self-hatred
• Perfectionism and the fear of not being "good enough"
• Fear of rejection, abandonment, or criticism
• Guilt, anger, and difficulty with assertiveness
• Depression and anxiety rooted in early relationships

Trained in psychodynamic principles, I work with the unconscious patterns that shape your relationships and sense of self.

I offer in-person sessions at Leicester Centre for Psychodynamic Counselling (12 Princess Road West, LE1 6TP) and online therapy across the UK.

Check out my website www.jdoherty.co.uk for more information or email me to book a free consultation – I offer a no-obligation chat to see if we’re a good fit – £50 per session. 

We’ll discuss what brings you to therapy and what you hope to gain

I’ll invite you to share a little about your background and relationships

You can ask questions about how I work and what psychodynamic therapy involves

We’ll review practical details: £50 per session, weekly 50-minute sessions, confidentiality and its limits (e.g. risk of serious harm)

There’s no pressure to decide — you can reflect afterward and contact me if you’d like to begin regular sessions

If we agree to work together, I’ll send a short agreement outlining our contract