James Paton

I currently offer sessions within the hours of 09:00-18:00 on Wednesdays.

I offer one-to-one therapy for adults, creating a space where you can talk openly and feel truly heard. My approach is warm, down-to-earth and led by you. I believe that feeling safe, understood and accepted is what allows real change to happen, so building a genuine, trusting relationship is at the heart of my work.

You don’t need to have the “right words” or a clear plan when you come to therapy. We can go at your pace, exploring whatever feels important to you.  I will stay actively alongside you proactively and making sense with you of how you journey has shaped you, gently challenging where it feels helpful.

I’m particularly interested in how our past experiences, especially early relationships, can shape how we feel about ourselves and how we relate to others today. I work in a way that is sensitive to trauma, recognising that difficult experiences can affect both mind and body. When it feels useful, I may offer simple ideas or tools to help you better understand what’s happening for you or to support you in everyday life.

Our work together is flexible and shaped around your needs. In our first session, we’ll talk about what you’re looking for and agree how we want to work together, including how we check in on progress.

Clients often tell me they experience me as honest, caring and easy to talk to. I believe that thoughtful challenge can be an important part of therapy, but only when it comes from a place of trust and respect.

I am committed to offering an inclusive, welcoming space. As a queer, neurodivergent therapist, I understand how identity and life experience can shape how we move through the world, and I aim to create a space where you can feel comfortable being yourself.

I currently offer sessions online.

The first session is an opportunity for us to consider whether we are the right fit to work together. It is structured slightly differently from ongoing therapy, with a greater focus on assessment, contracting and clarifying expectations.

The assessment is conducted verbally within the session. We will explore what has brought you to therapy, your current circumstances and what you hope for from the work. While this is not a full therapeutic intervention session, there will naturally be space to begin discussing your experiences. Part of this process involves considering whether your needs align with the service I am able to offer. If I believe a different type of support would be more appropriate, I will discuss this openly and, where possible, support you with an appropriate referral.

We will explicitly discuss confidentiality, risk, safeguarding, cancellations, boundaries and the practical framework of therapy. Following the session, I will send a written contract outlining what has been agreed so that the boundaries and expectations are clear and available for you to review.

The first session also provides space for you to ask questions and decide whether you feel comfortable working with me. We will confirm practical arrangements such as session frequency, whether you are seeking short or longer-term work, review points and payment.

Initial sessions are 1 hour and are not charged. Ongoing sessions are typically an hour, but this can be flexible based on your need and charged at £70 per hour.