From Anxiety To Authenticity: What Young People Need From Care And Communication with Helen James

Send us Fan MailThe stories we tell about care shape whether families reach out—and what happens when they do. Child psychotherapist and founder Helen James joins us to unpack the quiet crisis in youth mental health, the rise in teen anxiety since lockdowns, and the hard truth that trust takes time. She explains why six or twelve sessions rarely cut it for complex needs, how a careful beginning and a gentle ending protect the work, and what ethical triage looks like when demand outpaces capacity.We also go inside the realities of building a youth-focused practice in Brighton and Hove. Helen shares what filled her caseload so quickly, the bittersweet signal behind “growth,” and the everyday tension between spreadsheets and soul. From CAMHS waiting lists to the patchwork acceptance of private ADHD and autism diagnoses, she maps the system-level hurdles that leave parents carrying risk and therapists navigating scarce options. Her “magic wand” is simple: shorten queues so children get timely assessments and support that actually sticks.There’s another strand to Helen’s work: brand storytelling for wellness services. Drawing on the therapy room, she makes a case for radical authenticity over expert posturing. Families choose humans they can trust, not slogans. We cover voice, audience fit, and how to communicate without promising quick fixes. Helen closes with the practices that keep her whole—time in nature, meditation, sleep, and friendships—and the next steps for her team: more training, a third room, and sharing practical insights through speaking and writing.If this conversation resonates, follow the show, and share it with someone who needs it.🧑‍💼 Guest BiographyHelen James is a UK-based child psychotherapist and co-founder of Cormack and James, a psychotherapy practice in Hove. With over 15 years’ experience supporting children and adolescents, Helen blends clinical expertise with a background in storytelling and brand communication. Her work centres on helping young people navigate anxiety, identity, and developmental challenges—especially in the aftermath of the pandemic. A strong advocate for genuine connection, she also guides organisations to communicate with clarity and care. In this episode, she shares her perspective as both therapist and communicator—offering valuable insight into what young people need from those who support them.Contact DetailsWebsite: https://cormackandjames.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-james-761b8b43/e-mail: [email protected] on SubstackVoices in Health and Wellness is published on Substack, as part of The Diagnostician. Every episode lands there with written notes and reflections you won't find in the podcast feed. Free to subscribe.👉 https://thediagnostician.substack.com/s/voices-in-health-and-wellnessAbout the podcastVoices in Health and Wellness features conversations at the intersection of medicine, lifestyle, and human potential, with clinicians, scientists, and thinkers shaping the future of care.About Dr Andrew GreenlandUK-based medical doctor and founder of Greenland Medical, specialising in Integrative and Functional Medicine. Trained in both conventional and root-cause approaches, Andrew helps people optimise health, performance, and longevity, with a focus on cognitive resilience and healthy ageing.