Welwyn Garden City Counselling
Integrative Counselling,
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT),
and Mental Health Training
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Welcome
I'm James Reeve, an integrative counsellor and cognitive behavioural therapist providing in-person and online counselling in Welwyn Garden City. I'm a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
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.
In my private practice I support people struggling with low mood, depression, worry, anxiety, stress, bereavement, loss, low self-esteem, work, and relationship difficulties.
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, and can provide training to businesses and organisations on a number of workplace themes such as mental health awareness, wellbeing, anxiety, stress and resilience.
What is Integrative Therapy?
There are many types of counselling, informed by different theories and working with varied skills and techniques. I chose to train as an integrative counsellor because I don't believe any one theory can fully explain the human life experience. An integrative approach benefits from a foundation based on several core theories, which means I can draw on multiple understandings of human psychology and behaviour, and various skills and techniques, working in a way that is most helpful for the individual client.
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 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.
If you are new to the idea of counselling you may like to view the BACP video 'Therapy Talks', below, which gives a good introduction to counselling, including why people may choose to have counselling, and what to expect in a therapy session.
What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?
Following my foundation counselling training I have completed a second Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). This means I have a wider range of therapeutic approaches to offer when working with clients and their specific circumstances and preferences.
The simple basis of CBT is that our thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and physical feelings are all connected – a change in one area results in changes in the other areas. CBT then focuses on what thoughts and behaviours are influencing how you are feeling. By identifying these, you can challenge your thinking or change your behavioural response to feel better and develop more positive reactions.
With therapist guidance you’ll learn practical tools and techniques to change thinking and behavioural patterns. When you finish the therapy you will be able to use these tools and techniques independently to maintain or improve on the progression made during therapy.
CBT is the most extensively researched of the psychological therapies and the large evidence base for its effectiveness means it is endorsed in the UK by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and utilised within the NHS for the treatment of many mental health problems including anxiety and depression.
CBT is a time-limited therapy, typically between 10-20 sessions, and distinct treatment protocols have been developed to treat specific conditions e.g. social anxiety treatments differ to health anxiety treatments, or how to work with depression.
If you would like more information about CBT you may like to view the video 'Making Sense of CBT', below, produced by the mental health charity Mind, which gives a good overview.
How I Can Help You
Integrative Counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
I'm available through my private practice on a Tuesday and Wednesday, 9.00am-7pm, and I offer sessions both in-person and online.
A first step is for us to arrange a short telephone call (15-20 minutes, 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. We would also discuss which therapeutic approach may be best suited to your needs (counselling, CBT or an integration of the two).
The next step would be to arrange our first meeting, 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 and £70.
We would then arrange to meet weekly for 50-minute therapy sessions at £70 an hour. I encourage a commitment to an initial period of 6-weeks of counselling, with reviews held every 6-weeks to ensure the counselling is meeting your needs. Although you can choose to end counselling at any time, it is recommended to discuss and explore endings in a session, ensuring you get the most benefit from the conclusion of the counselling.
Concessionary Rates
I offer a reduced rate of £65 for key workers and £60 for counselling students who are having therapy as a part of their training programme.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Training
I am an experienced mental health and wellbeing advisor and trainer and can provide training to businesses and organisations on a number of workplace themes such as mental health awareness, wellbeing in the workplace, anxiety, stress and resilience. Please contact me to discuss your requirements.
Client Testimonials
"The impact and experience of counselling was very positive. It was easy to talk, explore, and figure our what I wanted. It was an opportunity to explore different coping strategies."
"I really appreciated the counselling and found James really easy to speak with. For the first time, as a result of speaking with James, I don't blame myself for the domestic abuse I experienced."
"I am immensely grateful to you for your insights, empathy and deeply intelligent listening. Thank you!".
"I reached out to James for help with anxiety after an eight-month struggle following a bad panic attack. I’ve dealt with anxiety and panic attacks for over a decade, and they’ve often made everyday tasks feel overwhelming. I tried to manage on my own, but it wasn’t working, and I knew I needed a different approach.
From the start, James was open, honest, and adaptable to my needs. He created a space where I felt comfortable talking and never judged for how I was feeling.
Together, we used a CBT-based approach to understand the root of my anxiety, learn practical techniques to reduce it, and apply those tools in real-world situations with his guidance. I now feel equipped to handle any situation where anxiety may arise.
With his help my anxiety is in the best place it has ever been."
Contact Me
Please contact me using the form to the right, email or phone. My practice is open on a Tuesday and Wednesday, 9.00am-7pm, and I check my messages during those times and will reply as soon as possible. If you feel comfortable, please provide a brief summary of why you are seeking counselling.
