My Story
Why I became a counsellor
Paul James understands what it means to struggle. Growing up in a household shaped by addiction, he experienced firsthand the chaos and instability that can define a young person's world. Through his formative years, Paul navigated his own challenges with codependency, addictions and mental health difficulties.
At the age of 30, Paul made the decision to enter rehabilitation. Since 2005, he has maintained his sobriety and rebuilt his life from the ground up. It was through his own experience of group and individual therapy that Paul began to understand the transformative power of being truly heard. The process of working through past trauma in a safe, supported environment changed everything for him.
That experience became the foundation of his career. Paul trained as a counsellor because he wanted to offer others the same lifeline that was offered to him. His lived experience is not something he hides from. It is the very thing that gives him genuine empathy for every person who walks through his door. He has sat where his clients sit. He knows what it takes to ask for help, and he knows what it means when someone finally does.