James Cowan
Professional experience
James has over seven years’ experience providing mental health support to individuals facing a variety of personal and work-related challenges. His clinical experience includes working as a Telephone Crisis Supporter at Lifeline and Counsellor at On the Line. In these positions, James provided confidential telephone counselling support through services such as Mensline, Suicide Call Back Service, SuicideLine Victoria, Open Arms, and Mates in Construction. He has assisted people struggling with suicidal thoughts, non-suicidal self-harm, domestic and family violence, drug and gambling addictions, and mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. As a Career Development Practitioner, James has strong skills in supporting clients to address work-related issues including occupational stress, interpersonal conflict, career and employment challenges.
Previously, James worked for the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union and was responsible for delivering a major change management project developing mentally healthy workplaces in partnership with four large manufacturing companies, WorkSafe Victoria and RMIT University.
More recently, James worked in the Victorian public service driving improvements in employee health, safety, and wellbeing and developing and facilitating training to people leaders and staff members. He has also provide consultation, coaching and guidance to internal stakeholders on a broad range of health issues, as well as supporting ill and injured workers to return to work.
Interests
- Cooking
- Reading
- Gardening
- Bushwalking
What James loves about working in mental health
“I enjoy working in partnership with clients and supporting them to achieve their personal and professional goals. It’s wonderful to see clients overcoming challenges and making progress.”
