Liverpool Team
Andy
Andy qualified as a mental health nurse in 2018 and has worked in a number of clinical settings including inpatient mental health hospitals across Liverpool. He went on to set up a Community Interest Company, Evolving Mindset CIC with his brother Phil to provide free and easy to access support for people with mild to moderate mental health needs in Knowsley and across Merseyside. In 2022, Evolving Mindset CIC won the Merseyside Independent Health and Well-being Business of the year. Andy was nominated for the Rising Star Award at the Nursing Times Awards in 2023. He joins us to lead our exceptional team in Liverpool providing treatment to men in suicidal crisis.
Amie
Amie is the Centre Manager at James’ Place Liverpool. She has a background in office management and in supporting mental health services and is currently training to become a person-centred counsellor. Amie is passionate about creating safe, supportive spaces for men in suicidal crisis, and brings empathy and dedication to her role.
Claire
Claire is a Senior Suicide Prevention Therapist and Person-Centred Counsellor at James’ Place. From assessment, she tailors the intervention on offer to suit each man individually, in a non-judgemental, empathic way, ensuring he receives the support that is needed for him to find hope for the future in an open and collaborative manner. During her time at James’ Place, Claire has gained a Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to enhance her practice with Clients and is undertaking a Diploma in Counselling Supervision to enrich her role as senior practitioner for her colleagues. Claire has a wide range of experience including group facilitation of bereaved parents, play-based therapy for The Whitechapel Centre and most recently as a counsellor at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts and Sixth Form College.
Clare
Clare is passionate about encouraging conversations to allow people to talk about their mental health without fear of stigma or judgement. She is a therapist with lived experience of mental health and suicide, and is a BACP Accredited Integrative Counsellor and a Clinical Hypnotherapist. Clare is a Senior Suicide Prevention Therapist leading the new St Helens satellite service. In this role, she oversees the delivery of the James’ Place model across the new satellite site, supporting the establishment of the service, the therapists on site and building relationships with local partners to improve access to life-saving support for men in suicidal crisis. Outside of James Place, Clare runs her own private practice and is a qualified supervisor, supporting other therapists in their practice. Clare has 22 years’ experience as a Probation Officer, prior to moving full time to therapy which has given her a wealth of experience around the Criminal Justice system, working with mental health, substance misuse, domestic abuse and coercive control, emotional distress and related problematic behaviours. Clare is committed to supporting clients develop hope and autonomy whilst navigating their journeys, working in collaboration towards this.
Živa
Živa is a person-centred counsellor. She previously worked at WHISC (Women’s Health Information and Support Centre) and has ten years of experience working with adults with learning disabilities in different settings, from supported living to advocacy. Živa also works at People First Merseyside on a project aimed at reducing social isolation, building confidence and promoting life-long learning for adults with learning disabilities.
Gemma
Gemma is a qualified person-centred therapist, who is passionate about suicide prevention and Men’s mental health. Before joining James’ Place she worked as a therapist for a local cancer support charity and sees clients at her own private practice. Starting her journey with James’ Place as a Mentor whilst training as a psychotherapist in 2022, she has gained a great understanding of the importance of the work we do. She has spent the last 8 years working in charities that support wellbeing and is passionate about supporting people in their time of need in a caring and compassionate way.
Kelly
Kelly is a registered BACP integrative therapist. Prior to qualifying as a therapist in 2023, Kelly has led a varied career. She originally qualified as a probation officer and went on to work with adults and children across a range of criminal justice, children's social care and charity settings. Kelly has previous experience of leading multi-disciplinary teams including youth justice and women's services but finds therapeutic work with clients to be the most rewarding role. Kelly has a passion for social justice and trauma informed practice. She combines her part-time role as a suicide prevention therapist at the St Helens satellite service (linked to Liverpool) , with her own private practice.