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.
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. Clare is a BACP Accredited Person-Centred Integrative Counsellor and a Clinical Hypnotherapist. Clare has 22 year’s experience as a Probation Officer, prior to moving full time to therapy and this has given her a wealth of experience around mental health, substance misuse, domestic abuse, emotional distress and problematic behaviours. Clare also works at The Wellness Centre, Blackburne House, where she works with women in distress through Counselling, delivering wellbeing groups and Hypnotherapy.
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.
Leah
Leah has worked in health promotion since graduating from University with an English Language degree in 2015 and is passionate about empowering others to utilise opportunities, skills, tools, and resources available to be the healthiest versions of themselves. She has experience in managing health projects which support individuals in challenging life situations to find appropriate solutions to help them grow and move forward, whilst also advocating for the parity between physical and mental health. She has experience delivering Social Prescribing services on the Wirral and it is through this that she developed a particular passion for advocating for those who need support to express their voice, feelings, and needs.