SYDNEY COUNSELLOR · NEWTOWN
Counselling & Psychotherapy in Newtown, Sydney
Thoughtful, individual therapy for trauma, ADHD and neurodivergence, relationship difficulties, anxiety and the experiences that can leave you feeling stuck.
PACFA Registered Clinical Counsellor & Psychotherapist · EMDRAA Member · 10+ years’ experience
In-person in Newtown · Online across Australia · No GP referral required
Newtown, Sydney In-person + online Accepting new clients PACFA Registered Clinical Counsellor EMDRAA Member SIRA
What brings you to therapy?
You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting. Therapy can begin with whatever feels most important right now.
Trauma & EMDR
Support for distressing memories, trauma, betrayal and experiences from the past that continue to affect how you feel in the present.
ADHD & Neurodivergence
Therapy for overwhelm, emotional regulation, masking, shame, relationships and adjusting to a later understanding or diagnosis of ADHD or neurodivergence.
Relationships
Individual therapy for attachment, betrayal and infidelity, boundaries, jealousy, intimacy, breakups and uncertainty about whether to stay or leave.
Anxiety, Depression & Emotional Wellbeing
A space to understand anxiety, low mood, grief, stress, self-esteem and the patterns that can leave you feeling overwhelmed, disconnected or stuck.
MEET CHRISTOPHER
Therapy that feels human, thoughtful and individual
I’m Christopher James, a PACFA Registered Clinical Counsellor & Psychotherapist based in Newtown. I’ve worked in private practice since 2016, supporting adults through trauma, anxiety, ADHD and neurodivergence, relationship difficulties, grief, shame and periods of significant change.
My approach combines psychological depth with practical therapeutic work. Rather than applying the same method to everyone, therapy can draw from approaches including EMDR, Schema Therapy, ACT, CBT and psychodynamic psychotherapy, alongside experiential techniques such as parts work - including concepts sometimes associated with Internal Family Systems (IFS) - inner child work and empty-chair exercises where helpful.
Above all, I want therapy to feel like a place where you can speak honestly, feel understood and work at a pace that feels manageable.
YOUR SPACE IN NEWTOWN
A private, calm space for therapy
In-person sessions take place in my private practice in Newtown, Sydney. The space is designed to feel comfortable, discreet and unhurried, with online sessions also available for clients across Australia.
Private one-to-one therapy room
Newtown, Sydney Inner West
In-person and online appointments
THE NEWTOWN SPACE
Take a Look Inside
Therapy takes place in a private room at the front of a residential property in Newtown, designed to feel comfortable, quiet and more personal than a traditional clinical setting.
Here’s a short look inside the space before you arrive.
Private therapy space · Newtown, Sydney
What to expect from your first session
Starting therapy can feel like a big step. The first session is simply a chance to understand what has brought you here, talk through what you would like help with and see whether working together feels right.
A little more time
Your first individual session is 65 minutes at the usual daytime fee, giving us extra space to understand what has brought you to therapy without feeling rushed.
No pressure to have it figured out
You don’t need a diagnosis, GP referral or a perfectly clear goal. You can contact me directly, and your counselling remains private - it isn’t linked to your GP or a central health record. We can start with whatever feels right for you.
A flexible approach
Weekly therapy can offer helpful consistency, but appointments don’t need to be on the same day or time. We can work flexibly around your needs and adjust the pace over time.
Daytime sessions $200 · First session 65 minutes · Limited after-hours sessions $230 · Newtown and online
A few common questions
It’s completely normal to have questions before starting therapy. Here are a few things people often want to know.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can contact me directly and book privately - you don’t need a GP referral, diagnosis or Mental Health Treatment Plan. While Medicare plans can reduce the cost of some therapy, there is often still a gap fee, so private counselling may not be as different in cost as people expect. Your therapy also remains private and isn’t routinely shared with your GP or other health professionals.
There isn’t a set number of sessions. Some people come for focused short-term work, while others find longer-term therapy more useful.
In my experience, regular sessions - often weekly at first, or at least fortnightly where possible - help keep the work flowing and make it easier to get beneath the surface and create more lasting change. We can adjust the pace together over time.
How many sessions will I need?
Can I have therapy online?
Yes. I offer in-person sessions from my private practice in Newtown, as well as online counselling for clients across Australia. You’re also welcome to use a mix of both, moving between in-person and online sessions depending on what works best for you.