Who you'll be talking to
It is easier to open up when you know a little about the person on the other side.
My story
My name is James Hurst
I came to counselling through experiencing it personally but also having worked closely with people for many years, often at points of vulnerability, transition, or loss. Over time, I became more interested in what sits underneath the stories people tell and what happens when someone is finally given space to slow down and be heard properly.
People often come to me when life feels heavy, confusing, or stuck. Sometimes there’s a clear reason. Sometimes there isn’t. What I notice again and again is how rarely people are given space that is just for them, without having to perform, explain, or hold it all together.
Alongside my private work, I spend a lot of time working within low cost counselling services. Access matters to me. Therapy should not only be available to those who can afford private fees, and this value runs through how I work.
How I work
I work in a pluralistic way, which means I don’t assume there is one right way to do therapy. Different people need different things at different times, and part of the work is paying attention to what actually helps you.
When you arrive, I’m listening for more than words. I notice how you settle into the space, how you’re breathing, and how comfortable you feel taking up room. Therapy often begins before the talking does.
Some sessions are quiet and reflective. Others are more active or gently challenging. This can change from week to week depending on what you need. I’m honest and clear in the room, naming what I notice without judgement and staying curious alongside you rather than trying to fix anything.
I draw on a range of psychotherapeutic approaches, including psychodynamic thinking and relational work, alongside attention to the body and lived experience. We talk openly about what feels useful and what doesn’t, and we adjust as we go.
I’m comfortable working with anger, low mood, anxiety, identity questions, relationship difficulties, grief, and periods of change. Humour, swearing, and silence all have a place. They help us stay human, and they can also be ways of avoiding things, which we notice together at a pace that feels safe.
At its core, therapy is about creating space. Often it’s the first time someone has had space that is just for them. Even when the focus begins with someone else, we keep returning to what’s happening for you and what you need.
Training & background
I’m a qualified psychotherapeutic counsellor, having completed the Chrysalis Professional Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling Practice at Level 5. My training was shaped as much by time in the therapy room as by formal study, with just over 150 client hours completed across clinical placements.
I gained my main placement experience at Hospice in the Weald and at Tenterden Counselling Service, where I continue to practise. I have worked with people facing grief, loss, trauma, identity questions, and the complexity of endings. These settings ask for steadiness, emotional range, and the ability to sit with difficult material without needing to rush it away. That experience continues to inform how I work.
Alongside my core training, I have a particular interest in working with grief and with shadow material, the parts of ourselves that are often hidden, disowned, or hard to talk about. I’m comfortable working with complexity and strong emotion. Very little phases me, and I bring an open, non judgemental presence into the room.
Before training as a counsellor, I spent over 20 years working in the arts and charity sector, including work with genocide survivors to help preserve and share their stories. That background shaped my tolerance for difficult narratives, my respect for silence, and my belief in the importance of being properly heard. It also means I’m not easily shocked, and I understand the weight people can carry quietly for a long time.
Accountability and standards
I work within a clear professional and ethical framework. I am a registered counsellor with the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society.
I attend regular & compulsory clinical supervision. Supervision gives me a space to reflect on my work, think carefully about what is happening in the room, and make sure I am working safely and in your best interests.
I also complete ongoing professional development each year so my practice stays current, informed, and responsive. This structure is not about distance or formality. It is what helps keep the work thoughtful, accountable, and focused on you.
Beyond the room
Outside of counselling, I walk the dog and spend time with family and friends. Because I am local, you might wonder what happens if we bump into each other. We will agree this together in session. Usually that means a brief hello only if you choose to acknowledge me first. At events or in shared spaces, I will keep my distance. Your privacy matters, and so does mine.