James Reeve

My practice is open on a Monday and Tuesday, 9.30am-7pm.

I'm James Reeve, an integrative counsellor providing in-person and online counselling in Welwyn Garden City.

Within my integrative approach my core training has been person-centred and psychodynamic. What does this mean for how I would work with you?

Person-centred therapy emphasises the importance of the therapeutic relationship between therapist and client to the success of therapy. A positive relationship is achieved through the therapist being fully available to the client; offering unconditional positive regard (accepting and valuing you), being congruent (honest regarding how they are experiencing you and your world), and empathic (striving to see your viewpoint and experience). In person-centred therapy the experience and agenda of the client is paramount; I offer regular reviews and make use of psychometric assessments so that we can be aware of changes and ensure the therapy is meeting your needs.

My psychodynamic training means I'm interested to look at how your childhood experiences and family life may impact on your current thinking, feelings, relationships and behaviour. This includes bringing awareness to your unconscious mind (automatic thoughts, feelings and behaviours that have evolved over your lifetime).

I also draw on skills from more recent training such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (for practical, in-the-moment coping strategies) and Compassion-Focused Therapy (offering a more positive, supportive inner dialogue for those with a critical inner voice or low self-esteem). Where relevant I also provide psychoeducation: information regarding common mental health challenges, including coping strategies that can be supportive of a client's wellbeing.

You may be experiencing difficulties and challenges in your life - with how you are feeling, negative thinking, or struggling to cope. I offer a private, non-judgemental and supportive space to talk, to explore what you are experiencing, and to gain awareness, insights and coping strategies to help you move forward and make changes supportive of your wellbeing.

My practice rooms are located very close to the centre of Welwyn Garden City, off Parkway, a short walk from the train station. There is a small car park available at the location and alternative car parks are available nearby in the town centre.

I use a counselling room within a light, modern and welcoming conference and training centre. The location offers a combination of professional and private space but with a more homely comfortable and relaxed decor within the counselling rooms which is perfectly suited to therapy. The venue is particularly well-suited for clients who may feel less comfortable with the idea of having counselling in their therapist's own home.

I also provide counselling online for clients who would prefer to meet (or start therapy) online.  

Alongside my private practice I volunteer as a counsellor with Mind in Hertfordshire's low-cost counselling service, supporting people with a wide range of mental health and wellbeing challenges.

I also work within the civil service as a Wellbeing trainer and mental health advisor specialising in workplace mental health.

A first step is for us to arrange a short telephone call (15-30minutes, free) to get a sense of what has brought you to counselling; what you are hoping to achieve from therapy; answer any questions you may have; and importantly so that we can both consider if we can work together to meet your needs.

The next step would be to arrange our first session, which would be an assessment session. During this session I would take a more detailed client history and understanding of why you are seeking counselling. We would agree the aims of the therapy and how we would work together, including important areas such as confidentiality, and agree our working contract. The assessment session is 50-minutes in length.

We would then arrange to meet weekly for 50-minute therapy sessions.