James Naylor
Member Status: Accredited
Member No: NCS19-08691
Location: Bodmin
My Ethos
Everybody entering a therapy relationship will each have their own unique and individual experience, with some able to accept and respond to issues or stressors easier than others (this is ‘normal’ and OK!). A counsellor in private practice I do not usually set a limit to the amounts of sessions, though some may prefer this, and I too may suggest a frequency and duration.
Whilst client and therapist may utilise core CBT principles or its approaches or other ideas of other theoretical orientation within the 1-hour session, more importantly is the relationship between both parties, enabling a less directive and still, focused session and therapy. Likely, material will unfold which requires prompt attention and addressing, possibly extending the course of treatment further. I am open to and have capacity for working on a short-term and long-term basis, maintaining a mutually agreed focus toward an expected safe therapeutic ending.
I understand individuals may have clear goals in which it is preferred one may wish to attain through treatment. Although, quite often it can be hard to pinpoint a desirable outcome upon beginning therapy when experiencing a muddled view of a current distress or situation or relationship, which one is less at ease with or can see no way out (a spaghetti junction comes to mind!).
My belief is that it is the process of relating, exploring, and feeling or coming into contact with oneself which through collaborative relational dialogue opens up avenues otherwise left hidden, buried or untouched. Whilst this may sound exposing and frightening (it is!), attempting to come into touch with our, to use Winnicott’s term ‘True Selves’ can enable new insight and room for opportunity to move onwards, thus resulting in a breaking free from our ‘False Selves’; pleasing others or being what others want you to be, ridding oneself of old/current habits, or putting a stop to repeating unhelpful behaviours or unhealthy relationships, making room for the ‘Real You!’. This, enabling you to maximise your opportunities and growth.
About Me
Cornwall born and bred; I have lived here all my life in various areas of the County. I enjoy living now in the North East of Cornwall. Cornwall is known and adored by many for its wide open and sandy beaches, hidden coastal walks and wooded areas as well as the open greenery. Even the weather is uncertain amongst the seasons adding to Cornwall’s uniqueness. Within Cornwall’s landscape I get my enjoyment from walking and running, swimming and taking in the tranquillity Cornwall has to offer. When not outdoors I enjoy reading for personal pleasure and professional development, also listening and attempting to play music.
I am a male counsellor in private practice, working from my private office based in Bodmin, Cornwall. I am qualified and fully insured to practice in the UK, and a registered and accredited member of The National Counselling Society (NCS) https://www.nationalcounsellingsociety.org/counsellors/ncs19-08691 abiding by Its “Code of Ethical Practice” [ https://www.nationalcounsellingsociety.org/about-us/code-of-ethics/ ]
The core modality throughout my training is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which I use alongside my continuous personal and professional training, experience, and knowledge of other psychotherapeutic theories, thus broadening my approach in delivering an individual face-to-face talking therapy.
I am also a student on a post qualifying training, learning and developing new and existing knowledge and skills to working therapeutically with children and young people, who have experienced/ing trauma, abuse and neglect. This training is not only important to the clinical practice of treating and supporting children and adolescents. The belief that every child matters and has the right to a childhood full of opportunity and most importantly love and safety, is the core component to healthy development into adulthood, thus tracing the origins of our adult self, to those earliest emotional experiences and relationships is key in supporting individuals of all ages.
Irrespective of culture, race, disability, age, gender or sexual orientation I am respectful of individuals’ beliefs and values, wishes and concerns, and aim to facilitate a safe and contained and welcoming therapeutic environment, and very importantly a therapeutic trustful relationship.
My Experience
Over a third of my life has been spent gaining experience and knowledge into the unique workings of human psychology and motivation; what makes us work or not work?! And, how to offer care and support for those who desire it.
I have been fortunate enough to discover, work and explore many areas of interest within the field of health and social care, including; autism and learning disabilities/difficulties, general physical health conditions and illness as well as end of life stage care in NHS community hospital inpatient and community-based home intervention care. Building upon this experience, I have developed my skills and awareness and knowledge within severe and enduring, chronic and acute mental health inpatient care, as well as primary care treatment working with common mental health conditions, drug and alcohol misuse, and self-harm and injury and suicide, as well as areas of social deprivation as in homelessness, domestic violence and abuse, sex working and sexual exploitation. Inevitably my areas of work have enabled my working practise to identify and manage risk safely among services, keeping strict confidential records and methods for reporting, engaging in the safeguarding of children, vulnerable adults and all individuals whom I come into contact with.
My roles within this field has enabled me to support children, adolescents and adults requiring various levels of support, guidance or treatment, within a multitude of settings; community or residential care, general inpatient and psychiatric inpatient wards, police custody and court cells, drug and alcohol clinics and specialist mental health units; eating disorder units and mother and baby units.
Within my work I communicate closely with many professionals, of various clinical teams, such as nursing, psychiatry and psychology, community crisis and forensic psychiatric teams, approved mental health professionals and deprivation of liberty safeguards teams, local child and adult safeguarding teams, academia, psychotherapy and counselling teams, police and prison service, drug and alcohol teams and other private/voluntary or charities/Community Interest Companies, I come into contact with.
Training and Qualifications
I completed my counselling training in Cornwall, qualifying with a level 4 diploma in Counselling Practice. The core module or approach for theory and practice in my training is CBT and an optional module working with trauma. This, awarded by AIM awards and the course accredited with The National Counselling Society (NCS), meeting Professional Standards Authority (PSA) regulations https://www.professionalstandards.org.uk/what-we-do/improving-regulation/our-standards
I have continued my learning, currently undergoing a post qualifying training in working therapeutically with children and young people, who have a trauma/s, experienced or experiencing emotional abuse and/or neglect. This training is not only important to the clinical practice of treating and supporting children and adolescents. The belief that every child matters and has the right to a childhood full of opportunity and most importantly love and safety, is the core component to healthy development into adulthood, thus tracing the origins of our adult self, to those earliest emotional experiences and relationships is key in supporting individuals of all ages.
Aside my counselling qualifications, I have a Higher National Certificate in Applied Psychology, awarded by Plymouth University.
I have used my health and social care, psychology and counselling qualifications, training and experience of study to develop my working practise, for instance, managing a high caseload of service users with addictions, undertaking assessments, measuring outcomes from treatment and support, as well as analytical and research skills to expand my repertoire of theory and improve my practise and technique. Although my learning is always ongoing, developing and interesting.
Continuous Professional Development and Theoretical Interests
I have a wide interest in counselling and psychotherapy. Some of my trainings have led to my explorations of particular theoretical modalities, such as Psychoanalysis – from Freud to Klein, Winnicott to Lacan, Laplanche, Foucault and Miller, to name a few. Also, an avid interest in Analytical Psychology, the originating work of C.G. Jung. I am in a long-term Jungian analysis which is an enormous contributor to my personal and professional development.
I am also interested in more recently developed forms of therapy or therapies aimed to improve access for those suffering with particular mental illness, disorder or problems, for instance; Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Analytical Therapy (CAT) and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) – used to treat anxiety and depression, bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia and personality or eating disorder/s.
Most recently though my attention has been drawn toward emotional regulation and dysregulation, evidenced from a neurobiological and attachment theory approach, and what neuroscience can teach or show us about affect, the importance of early emotional learning and brain growth/development, and areas or hemispheres of the brain localised for particular emotional responses. This is particularly important to understanding behaviour in children and adults whom have experience emotional trauma, physical abuse and/or neglect; whereby areas of the brain (neurons/transmitters) not used or responding due to say lack of touch, sense of feeling and love, and safety or security by the primary caregiver makes them redundant at early infancy a stage of greatest plasticity, essentially depriving the capacity for developing a full personality.
Interestingly, there are links between early therapeutic work of psychoanalytic theory and more contemporary psychotherapy modalities and sciences.
Some interesting and contemporary clinicians I have had the pleasure to read only thus far are Graham Music, Anne Alvarez and Allan Schore, to name a few.