About Me

Hi, I'm James​.

I’m a qualified counsellor living in Melbourne and a registered member of the Australian Counselling Association. I'm 45 years old and have 2 sons in adolescence. Since I was a child I've been passionate about people, their well-being and development. To this end, I studied GDip Education (Monash, 2007), GCert Coaching & Counselling (Deakin, 2015), and GDip Counselling (Deakin, 2025). I've also privately studied philosophy and sociology.

I've had many vocations - including teaching, gardening and disability work. Lately I've been doing gardening part-time while I get this counselling business going.​​​​

My approach

My approach is practical, compassionate and empowering, drawing on evidence-based counselling methods and lots of life experience.

Some people simply value having a space where they can think clearly about their lives without judgement or expectations. There I act as a sounding board, reflecting back what I hear in a constructive manner.

Others need more direction and specific steps to get where they want to go. For this I draw from several evidence-based approaches, including:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Motivational Interviewing (MI)
• Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)

These approaches are primarily strengths-based and goal-focused. Their frameworks help us explore you, your history and your present situations.

Counselling with me provides a space to think clearly about your life, understand what matters to you, and begin moving forward in a way that feels authentic and sustainable.

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Many clients come to counselling because something in their life has shifted - a relationship ending, a loss, uncertainty about work or direction, or simply the sense that life is not working as it once did.

These moments can feel unsettling, but they can also become important turning points - points where you can reflect and refine your life to better meet your needs.

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Why the name “Forest & Flow”

The name reflects how we can understand healthy change.

Forest represents structure, stability, and rootedness.
Flow represents movement, flexibility, and adaptation.

Many people struggle not because they lack strength, but because they’re stuck between holding it all together and not knowing how to move forward.

Counselling is about recognising strengths, acknowledging weaknesses, and working with both.

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Practical details

• I serve clients in person in Richmond and online across Australia

• Confidential and judgement-free

• Flexible appointment times

• Free 15-minute consultation offered​