Counsellor profile
James Costigan, BACP
Based in United Kingdom ยท 9 years of experience
Counsellor for men with stress and addiction issues
Continue with JamesAt a glance
- Registration
- BACP, United Kingdom (385914)
- Qualifications
- BACP
- Experience
- 9 years
- Languages
- English
- Based in
- United Kingdom
Details come from information James supplied to BetterHelp.
- Stress and anxiety
- Addictions and recovery
- Relationship and intimacy
About James
BACP. Nine years' experience. James Costigan works mainly with men on stress, anxiety, addiction and relationship concerns using client-centred, cognitive behavioural and mindfulness approaches.
James Costigan offers short, direct sessions that focus on what is causing distress. He helps people slow down, notice patterns, and make practical changes. He commonly addresses depression, anxiety, problems with intimacy, and addictive behaviours including pornography.
James often brings experience from the corporate world into counselling to help with work pressure and performance expectations. He supports people who feel lost or overwhelmed by life changes, and those wanting clearer thinking about career or personal development. Sessions aim to increase self-awareness and steadier emotional responses.
His style is collaborative and paced to the individual. He encourages exploring difficult feelings and testing new ways of coping. Mindfulness exercises and CBT techniques may be used to shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviours.
Clients can expect a focus on everyday problems such as communication struggles, commitment worries, and managing anger. James also works with issues linked to attachment, abandonment, codependency, and body image. He notes an interest in alternative sex culture and kink-related concerns, and in supporting carers facing stress.
Sessions are offered in English and James accepts international clients. The counselling approach aims to build clarity and practical skills so people can face challenges with more confidence and fewer setbacks.
How his approaches work in online counselling
Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening and understanding a person's perspective. It helps people feel heard and encourages them to find their own solutions to stress, relationship problems and low mood.Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, targets unhelpful thoughts and behaviours. It uses practical exercises and small experiments to change patterns that feed anxiety, depression and addictive behaviours.
Mindfulness Therapy introduces simple awareness practices to reduce reactivity and improve focus. These techniques can help with stress, emotional regulation and coping with cravings.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The counsellor will discuss needs, goals and preferences and decide together which methods to try. That collaboration continues as sessions progress and techniques are adjusted.
Confirm current session options before booking so you know how appointments are arranged. Online counselling can make it easier to fit sessions around work and family life, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Registered or accredited professionals often use online work to support regular, practical progress rather than replace face-to-face care.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
9+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What problems does he work with?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, addiction and relationship problems, among other concerns such as self-esteem, career pressures and ADHD.
What is his counselling approach like?
He uses client-centred methods alongside cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness, focusing on practical changes and increased self-awareness.
How much experience does he have?
James has nine years of experience working in counselling.
Is he a member of a professional body and where is he based?
He is BACP and works from the United Kingdom.
Can I have sessions in a language other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does he work with clients outside the UK?
He accepts international clients.
How are sessions arranged and what do they cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Select the See online counselling options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Checking a registration
Professional bodies keep public registers. If James lists a membership, you can look it up on that body's own website:
Online counselling is not emergency or medical care. In immediate danger? Crisis numbers