Newcastle Team
John
John has 10 years’ experience working in Mental Health Services and has joined James’ Place to help set up and manage our new service in the North East. He says "I became aware of James' Place when working in my previous role within an NHS urgent care mental health service and knew it was something I wanted to be a part of. I can't wait to see what James’ Place can achieve."
Lisa
Lisa is a dedicated mental health professional with nearly 30 years of experience in the voluntary and community sector. She began her career as an advocate but has worked passionately in various roles that empower individuals and enhance their quality of life. Over the past 20 years, Lisa has held various management positions, leveraging her extensive experience to lead teams effectively while fostering an environment of support and inclusivity. Her commitment to equality drives her work, ensuring that every individual has a voice and the opportunity to thrive.
Susan
Susan is a BACP accredited Person Centred counsellor, and has worked for 17 years within a Primary Care setting, using a brief therapy model, with a mental health charity. Susan's interest in working in Mental Health began in her 20’s when she volunteered for Samaritans and later trained as a counsellor. She has also worked in the arena of Domestic Abuse. Susan likes to develop trust and warmth in the therapeutic relationship believing this can set the foundation for the work with a client. This is with the hope the client can find meaning in collaborative and empathic work leading them to find ways to understand and process their experiences and how this may impact. She also have a separate role supporting victims of violent crime in a project funded by Northumbria Police and Crime Commission.
Sarah
Sarah is a COSRT registered therapist. She is experienced in delivering relationship therapy and couples therapy for depression. Alongside her role at James' Place Sarah works with both individuals and couples within an IAPT service. Previous to working as a therapist Sarah has worked with individuals with multiple and complex needs who were experiencing homelessness, drug and alcohol misuse, domestic abuse, mental health problems and those who are involved in the criminal justice system.
Kay
Kay is a qualified counsellor. She spent 20 years with a large multinational corporation before retraining in counselling and psychotherapy. She is a UKCP Child Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, experienced in working with Children and Young People within educational settings, charity and the NHS. She has also spent time supporting older adults experiencing suicidal thoughts. Kays' experience with clients from a young age through to later life informs her adult practice, with a humanistic and psychodynamic approach, bringing warmth, empathy and full acceptance of the men she supports.
Abby
Abby is a BPS registered therapist and has a background in supporting people experiencing suicidal ideation; she has also worked with individuals bereaved by suicide. Abby has worked with people of all ages and believes in providing a safe space for people to openly explore their suicidal thoughts and move towards a place of hope for the future.
Andrew
Andrew is a BACP Integrative Counsellor and brings a wealth of experience to James’ Place as a dedicated Suicide Prevention Therapist. With a background in trauma services and a commitment to supporting individuals in crisis, Andrew oversaw the development and operations of the trauma service at Arcus LGBT CIC, a separate role he still holds alongside his private practice. His previous work includes with students at Durham University and clients at Butterwick Hospice Care supporting individuals with bereavement, mental health challenges, and life-limiting illnesses. Andrew’s therapeutic approach is centred on creating a safe, non-judgmental environment for clients, empowering them to find hope and resilience during their most difficult times.
Sarah
Sarah is a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor who holds accredited registration with the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). She works alongside clients to create a safe, non-judgemental listening space, so that clients move towards clarity and self-understanding. This is the first step towards finding ways forward that are relevant and meaningful to us and therefore more likely to take us to where we want to be. As well as working for James’ Place, Sarah has her own private practice in Durham. Her therapeutic interests include how we are impacted by loss and bereavement, how our past informs our present and how we change over our life time.
Estelle
Prior to her role at James' Place, Estelle was a mental health support worker for 6 years, working with a diverse range of individuals to promote independent mental health management in the local community. Estelle aims to provide a warm, friendly, safe and supportive environment for the men who use the service.
Ashleigh Dixon
Ashleigh recently joined James' Place as our Fundraising Manager for the North East. She has over seven years' experience working within the voluntary sector across fundraising, event management and business development. She aims to connect with the local community to raise vital funds, so James' Place can continue to save the lives of men experiencing suicidal crisis.