Dr James Warren
Clinical Psychologist
(DClinPsy, MSc, BSc, CPsychol)
About
I am an HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist (PYL045910) based in Bristol, specialising in Major Trauma and Neuropsychology. My person centred approach is grounded in evidence-based practice, with a focus on helping individuals and families to navigate complex life challenges. As a BABCP Accredited Cognitive Behaviour Therapist (CBT), I have a particular interested in cognitive and third wave approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), to support individuals with a variety of psychological difficulties.
Beyond the clinical, I’m also a creative. I’m interested in how we can do things differently — how innovation, including technology, can deepen and extend therapeutic care. I’m particularly passionate about the use of virtual reality (VR) and embodied technologies to support recovery from stress, trauma, and disconnection, and using interactive mediums to support engagement and accessibility in therapy.
I currently work at between North Bristol NHS trust in the Major Trauma Service at Southmead Hospital, and the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit (BIRU) in Frenchay. Alongside this, I also take on a small number of private clients.
Qualifications
Therapy with me
I am a Clinical Psychologist and offer therapy grounded in evidence-based approaches, with a focus on understanding the whole person — not just a diagnosis. My approach is collaborative and compassionate, working with you to explore the challenges you’re facing, clarify what matters to you, and develop meaningful ways forward.I currently only offer a small number of therapy slots alongside my work in the NHS. This means my availability is limited to online sessions weekdays between the hours of 18:00 - 20:00.
What is a Clinical Psychologist?
Clinical Psychologists are highly trained professionals who help people understand and work through emotional, cognitive, and behavioural difficulties. In the UK, Clinical Psychologist is a protected title, meaning it can only be used by those registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This registration requires a psychology degree, several years of experience working in healthcare settings, and completion of a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy).
How is this Different from a Counsellor or Therapist?
The terms counsellor and therapist are not legally protected, so they can be used by professionals with a wide range of training backgrounds — from short courses to advanced qualifications. Many provide excellent support.Clinical Psychologists are trained to work with a broader range of difficulties, including more complex or long-standing challenges. They are skilled in delivering multiple therapeutic approaches, and also in understanding the underlying psychological processes contributing to someone’s distress — known as formulation. This allows therapy to be tailored to the individual, drawing on the latest research and psychological theory.
What can i support with?
I have particular experience working with individuals affected by trauma and health-related psychological difficulties, but can support a variety of needs. Some of the areas I commonly work with include:
Psychological impact of trauma or injury (including road traffic accidents, assaults, and hospitalisations)
Post-traumatic stress (PTSD) and adjustment difficulties
Anxiety and panic
Low mood or depression
Identity changes following illness or injury
Difficulties with memory, attention, or cognitive fatigue
Health anxiety or fear of recurrence
Coping with chronic illness, pain, or neurological conditions
Stress and burnout
Bereavement and loss
Emotional regulation difficulties
Supporting recovery and self-compassion
I cannot offer assessments for ADHD and Autism
FAQ's
Do I need a referral from my GP or another professional? No. You can contact me directly — there’s no need for a referral.
What does a typical session involve? Sessions last 60 minutes and provide a confidential space to explore what’s going on for you. We’ll use the time to understand your experiences and work together on ways forward using evidence-based approaches tailored to your needs.
How much do sessions cost? I offer a free 15 minute consultation for us to explore how i might be able to support you. All subsequent sessions (60 mins) are £140 and must be paid in advance.
Do you offer online or in-person sessions? Sessions are currently delivered online via secure video call (Microsoft Teams). This allows flexibility and accessibility from your own space. In-person sessions may be available in future.
How long will therapy take? It varies person to person. Some individuals benefit from a small number of sessions (6–12), while others prefer longer-term support. My preference is to work in a focussed way and we review progress together and make sure therapy continues to meet your needs.
What types of therapy do you offer? I use a range of evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), and trauma-informed models. We’ll decide together what’s most suitable.
Are you taking on new clients? I currently offer a small number of therapy spaces alongside my NHS role. Availability is limited, but you’re welcome to get in touch to check or join a short waiting list.
What if I’m not sure therapy is right for me? That’s okay. You’re welcome to book an initial consultation without pressure to continue. I can also signpost to other services if needed.
Do you offer reports or letters? I do not currently provide medico-legal reports or letters for housing, benefits, or court purposes. I can offer brief therapy summaries on request.
Is what I share confidential? Yes — your information is treated with the utmost confidentiality and handled in line with GDPR and HCPC professional standards. There are rare exceptions (e.g. if there’s a risk of serious harm), which I’ll discuss with you at the outset.
If you’re not sure whether your situation fits, you’re welcome to reach out — I’ll be happy to help you consider what support might be most helpful and can signpost to other services if they would be a better fit.
Qualifications
I am an HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist (PYL045910) specialising in Major Trauma and Neuropsychology with 7 years of experience working in the NHS.I am a BABCP accredited Cognitive Behaviour Therapist (CBT) and have a particular interested in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Projects
Alongside my clinical work, I enjoy developing psychological tools, resources, and creative projects that aim to make therapeutic ideas more accessible and useful — both within therapy sessions and beyond. Below are a few examples of ongoing and completed projects.
ACT Values Card Sort Application
A printable and digital card sort tool based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), designed to help clients clarify their values in a visual and engaging way. This has been endorsed by many NHS Clinicians and a Harvard University Research Study at Mass General Brigham Hospital, USA.This free resource:
• Helps facilitate meaningful conversations in session
• Supports clients in identifying life directions and stuckness
• Can be used in individual therapy, supervision, and reflective practice
Clinical Worksheets & Tools
Over the years I’ve developed a range of worksheets and tools, designed to support psychological understanding, reflection, and recovery — particularly in the context of health psychology and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.These can be accessed for free using the link below:
Research
Virtual Reality and Green Space for Wellbeing
This research explores the use of immersive virtual reality (VR) environments to simulate natural green spaces and examine their effects on stress reduction and emotional wellbeing. We designed both a greenspace and urban VR environment specifically for this study, creating engaging, lifelike settings that allow for controlled comparisons. Using a counterbalanced, repeated-measures design, participants experience both environments, with pre- and post-session measures assessing mood, stress, and perceived restoration. The project bridges clinical psychology and emerging digital interventions, offering insights into how VR can be used therapeutically to support mental health.Findings are due to be published later this year (2025)
PRIVACY POLICY
Last updated: August 2025This privacy policy outlines how I (Dr James Warren), collect, use, and protect your personal information in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.By contacting me or engaging in therapy, you agree to the terms outlined below.
Who I Am: I am a HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist offering psychological therapy services in private practice. I am the sole data controller for the personal information you provide. If you have any questions about how your data is handled, you can contact me via my contact page.
What Information I Collect and Why: When you contact me or engage in therapy, I may collect the following personal information; Contact details (name, email address, phone number); Background information (such as age, gender, GP details, medical or mental health history); Therapy notes (session summaries, clinical formulations, assessment outcomes); Administrative data (invoices, payments, appointment records). This information is collected to: Provide safe, effective psychological care; Communicate with you about appointments; Maintain accurate clinical records; Fulfil legal, ethical, and regulatory obligations.
How Your Data is Stored: Your data is stored securely using encrypted, password-protected systems. This includes; A secure and encrypted email platform compliant with UK data protection standards; Encrypted cloud storage for clinical notes and documents; A secure electronic diary system for appointments. Only I have access to your personal data. In rare circumstances, I may need to share data (see below), but this will always be discussed with you first unless there is a legal or safeguarding obligation.
Who I Share Data With Your data is kept confidential. I would only share information; With your consent (e.g. liaising with your GP); If required by law or court order; If there is a serious risk of harm to you or others; With my professional indemnity insurer or legal representative in the event of a claim or complaint. As part of good clinical practice, I receive supervision from a qualified Clinical Psychologist. Any material discussed in supervision is anonymised.
How Long I Keep Your Data: In line with HCPC and professional guidelines, I retain your clinical records for 7 years after the end of therapy (or until a child turns 25, whichever is longer). After this period, all personal data will be securely deleted or destroyed.
Your Rights: Under UK GDPR, you have the right to; Access the personal data I hold about you; Request correction of inaccurate data; Request deletion of your data (in some circumstances); Restrict or object to certain types of processing; Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). You can find out more or raise concerns at: www.ico.org.uk
7. Updates to This Policy: This privacy policy may be updated periodically. Any significant changes will be communicated on this website.
If you have any questions or concerns about how your data is handled, please get in touch. I’m committed to safeguarding your privacy and ensuring your information is treated with care and respect.
Contact
Currently I am only taking on a small number of private clients so do not have a booking system on my website. If you are interested in therapy then please read the section here and get in touch via the form below.If you have non-therapy related query then please include non-therapy related in the subject your message.