James McElvaney
BA (Hons.), MA, H.Dip (Psych.), M.Sc. (Couns.)
| After completing studies in English
Literature and Philosophy I began studying Psychology in 2004. A
graduate of the M.Sc. program in counselling psychology at Trinity
College Dublin, I am a member of the Psychological Society of Ireland
(P.S.I.) and the British Psychological Society (B.P.S.) and abide by the
code of ethics and standards of best practice set out by both. I have worked with clients (individuals, couples and groups) struggling with a broad spectrum of issues in both the long and short term. I work humanistic-integrative standpoint which incorporates elements of emotion-focused therapy, solution-focussed brief therapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy. My personal belief system is deeply embedded in humanist/existential philosophy and psychology. I believe that a capacity for experiencing is central to our sense of self in terms of thought, feeling and action. I believe that as humans we have free will and the capacity to make meaningful choices – not explicitly limited by biological determinism. I believe that our personal growth and development continues throughout our lifespan and is facilitated by the extent to which we allow ourselves to fully experience ourselves and others. I believe that as a counselling psychologist engaging in psychotherapy I am part of a dyadic process wherein two individuals are engaged in an implicit dialogue about what it is to be human. This is a natural development of my undergraduate study of philosophy which concentrated mainly on existential philosophy and psychoanalysis. As a counselling psychologist I believe that it is my personal and professional duty to apply both the use of my ‘self ‘and my knowledge of psychological science to understanding others, (adults, children, couples and groups) in a manner which is congruent with my humanistic values. I hope to facilitate my clients’ movement towards psychological wellbeing by providing a safe/secure space in which the conditions for personal growth are present. On my part this requires openness to personal reflection and full utilisation of the resources open to me as a counselling psychologist - psychological theory, research and assessment, combined with a willingness to engage fully with my clients, entering into a collaborative exploration of our shared humanity.
|