James Costigan, BACP

James Costigan is a thoughtful and compassionate therapist who focuses on helping men create more calm and confidence in their lives. He builds a supportive, nonjudgmental space where clients can slow down, notice patterns, and explore the thoughts and feelings that get in the way of clearer decision-making and steadier emotional responses. As a member of BACP (a professional counselling association), he brings a trained, reflective approach to his work and prioritises steady progress over quick fixes.

James specialises in working with men because many pressures are carried privately, and he understands how silence and expectation can compound stress. He helps clients develop self-awareness, make sense of difficult emotions, and practise new ways of coping so they can face challenges with greater clarity and self-compassion. Sessions proceed at a pace that suits each person, with the therapist and client collaborating to find the right rhythm for change.

Many men seek James for depression, anxiety, stress, relationship difficulties, and struggles with addiction including problematic porn use, as well as feelings of being lost amid professional expectations. He also supports those navigating workplace pressures, performance concerns, and personal development goals, drawing on his own corporate experience to relate to career-related strains. His aim is to accompany clients through growth and healing so they can move toward the life they want with more confidence and resilience.

Therapeutic approaches for online work

James blends client-centred work with cognitive behavioural techniques and mindfulness practices to suit different needs. Client-Centred Therapy focuses on building a trusting therapeutic relationship where the client feels heard and supported - it helps people explore their identity, values, and emotional experience at their own pace. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers practical tools to identify and change unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, and stress-related problems. Mindfulness Therapy teaches present-moment awareness and gentle attention to thoughts and sensations, supporting better emotional regulation and reduced reactivity.

Finding the right approach is part of the collaborative process. James will work with each client to understand their goals, preferences, and life context, and together they will choose and adjust methods that feel most useful. This collaborative stance helps ensure therapy aligns with what the client needs and hopes to achieve.

Online sessions - whether by video call, phone, live chat, or text messaging - make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives and to access support from different locations. These options offer flexibility around work, caregiving, travel, and daily commitments, while allowing registered professionals and therapists to tailor the way they meet so progress can continue in a way that suits the client.