Practice information:

Men’s mental health is in crisis – a silent crisis. The impact of this on men and those around them cannot be ignored. The world needs men to be able to carry the great weight and pressure of their many responsibilities, without suffering in silence.

Typically, not having more than a handful of close friends, and generally used to powering through (or ignoring) their challenges, few men reach out for help. Stigma and shame often prevent men from talking with other men. Therefore preventing the exchange of ideas, solutions or the benefits that come from deep relationships.

As a man who has navigated many challenges throughout my life, I too had to learn to seek help. I wasn’t used to receiving or accepting help, but once I did, my mental health improved. Growing up as an introvert in a low-income, fatherless home, the odds were stacked against me. I lacked confidence, example, and support. Once I was able to take the risk to be vulnerable and honest with my various experiences and challenges, I was able to reclaim my agency.

From an ecological perspective, I observe the many factors that contribute to the difficulties men face including the microsystem lens (family of origin, close relationships) through to the macrosystem and chronosystem lens (attitudes, ideologies, socioeconomic status, and life transitions). I also look at how we react to challenges and trauma, and how those around us are impacted.

I use a variety of methods to support my clients – specifically using Solution Focussed Therapy as a guideline to move forward and progress:

·       Coaching for executives and working professionals who want to refine or redefine performance.

·       Strength-based work to help clients better understand their identity and achieve greater self-confidence.

·       Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to practically address symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression.

·       Positive Psychology to reframe and challenge internal dialogue and distortions.

·       The Gottman Method to mitigate and mediate the space between couples who often misunderstand each other.

With many years in the corporate sector, moving countries several times, being married for 16 years, a father to 3, and having endured a fatherless, broken home, I use my personal experience and humour to relate to and connect with my clients.

Background

James holds a Master of Counselling Psychology (MC) from Adler University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology (GDip) from the University of East London, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology (B.Th.) from Southern Cross University in Sydney, Australia. He is an insured Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) in the province of BC, with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors.