James Hossack

MA (Cantab), MCouns, MSc (Psychology), GMBPsS, MBACP

I am trained as a mental health counsellor and enjoy helping people navigate life’s challenges, whether that is coping with anxiety, stress, depression or managing change. I am accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and work within its ethical framework.

I lived in Hong Kong for most of my adult life but moved back to Europe in 2022 and am now based near Lisbon. I offer online therapy to clients across the Asia-Pacific region as well as in Portugal and the UK. I plan to offer in-person sessions in the Lisbon and Cascais areas from early 2025.

My experience

Counselling is my second career. I spent the first part of my working life as a foreign correspondent and editor before deciding in 2017 to move into the mental health field. I have lived in the UK, France, Hong Kong and the United States and have spent shorter stints in the Middle East and Scandinavia. I now live in Portugal, near Lisbon.

Some of my experiences in war zones and covering natural disasters led me to want to work in mental health. I believe that this part of my life experience gives me a high level of empathy with people who have experienced trauma or loss. 

Flexible and affordable

I have been offering online sessions since 2022 but plan to offer in-person appointments in Lisbon and Cascais from early 2025. I find that online sessions can offer greater flexibility but that in-person sessions tend to result in building a greater rapport. 

This will not be true for every client and the choice ultimately is yours. You may find that a few sessions in person followed by online work suits you best.

Qualifications

I studied at King’s College, Cambridge for my undergraduate degree in social and political science. From there, I went into journalism, mostly covering international politics, wars and natural disasters.

Witnessing and experiencing these stories up close gave me a deep appreciation for the importance of mental health and in 2017, I decided to study for a Masters in Counselling with Monash University, based in Hong Kong taught by counsellors and psychologists from Melbourne, Australia. I completed my clinical placement with St John’s Counselling Service in Central, Hong Kong.

I went on to complete a Master of Science in Psychology in a programme run by Sheffield Hallam University in the UK and the City University of Hong Kong and accredited with the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Besides being accredited with the BACP, I am also a graduate member of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and a postgraduate member of the American Psychological Association (APA).

Appointments last for 50 minutes, starting on the hour. Other times may be available upon request.

Appointments at weekends may be available by special arrangement. Please email me to see if we can find a mutually agreeable time.