Meet the Therapist - Andrew

Andrew is a Suicide Prevention Therapist at James’ Place Newcastle. With a strong grounding in trauma-informed therapy and a background working across both private practice and specialist mental health services, Andrew brings a warm, collaborative, and deeply human approach to supporting men experiencing suicidal crisis.

He is also the Trauma Service Manager at Arcus, an LGBT+ counselling organisation, and has worked in multiple therapeutic contexts, from university wellbeing services to national Employee Assistance Programmes. Andrew has particular expertise in working with loss, shame, identity, and relational trauma, and is committed to inclusive, affirming care for every person he meets.

What drew you to work at James’ Place?
I was drawn to James’ Place because of its unique, humane model. So much of suicide prevention in the UK still operates in clinical or crisis-heavy settings, which can feel cold, rushed, or inaccessible. What I love about James’ Place was the commitment to offering something different, a warm, relational space where men in distress are met without judgment, and where suicide is spoken about openly and compassionately.

I was also struck by the fact that James’ Place puts therapy at the centre of suicide prevention. As a therapist, that felt powerful and hopeful, to be part of a team that believes people can find a way forward not just through safety plans, but through being truly heard and supported.

What do you enjoy most about your role?
It’s a privilege to sit alongside someone at one of the lowest points in their life and help them begin to make sense of what’s happening. What I value most is witnessing that shift, when a man moves from feeling hopeless and alone to reconnecting with his reasons for living, his identity, and his sense of possibility.

I also appreciate how relational the work is. At James’ Place, we recognise that the men do not need ‘fixing’, they are not broken. It’s more about building trust, slowing things down, and helping men feel safe enough to explore what’s really going on beneath the surface. That process saves lives.

What approach do you take in your work with men?
My approach is integrative, trauma-informed, and above all, collaborative. I draw from person-centred, cognitive behavioural, and attachment-based approaches, depending on what feels most useful to the person sitting across from me. I believe therapy works best when it’s a shared space, one where clients feel empowered to set the pace and bring whatever they need to bring.

I also work with a strong awareness of shame, grief, and identity. Many men carry silent burdens, beliefs that they must always be strong, self-sufficient, or unemotional. Therapy offers a space to question those beliefs and explore what it might mean to live differently, in line with their values.

What do you find most challenging about the role?
The intensity of the work can be emotionally demanding, we meet people at the sharp edge of distress, and that requires both presence and care. It’s vital to balance that with good support, supervision, and boundaries so that we can continue to offer the best to our clients.

There’s also the challenge of what can’t always be changed, external factors like housing, finances, or health issues that are beyond our control. In those moments, the work becomes about helping someone feel less alone and more resourced, even if the circumstances themselves are hard.

What do you wish more people knew about suicide?
That suicidal thoughts don’t make someone weak or broken. They’re often a response to overwhelming pain, isolation, or shame, a way of saying, “I can’t keep going like this.” When we reduce suicide to a risk to be managed, we miss the opportunity to understand what’s really going on for someone.

I wish more people knew how empowering it can be to simply listen without trying to fix. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is stay with someone in their pain and help them feel seen, heard, and valued.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy walking my three dogs (Titan, Bella & Bruno), spending time with friends and family, and love a good coffee. I am also a strong believer in engaging with continuous personal and professional development, I’m currently completing a master’s degree in psychology, which helps me stay curious and reflective about the work I do.

Finally, what gives you hope?
The courage I see in clients every day. Even in the darkest moments, there’s a part of them that reaches out, that wants to live, to connect, to be understood. That spark is what we work with, and it’s what makes this work so meaningful.

I also find hope in the idea that people can heal in relationship, that being met with empathy and respect can restore someone’s sense of worth and possibility. That’s what James’ Place does so well, and I’m proud to be part of it.