James Byrne – Psychotherapist | Founder of Rainbow Minds

I’m James Byrne, an accredited psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and founder of Rainbow Minds and The Threshold Practice.

My work centres on the inner lives of men — particularly gay, bi, and trans men — exploring themes of shame, intimacy, sexuality, identity, and connection. I also work more broadly with clients navigating complexity in their relationships, sense of self, and emotional world.

Therapy with me is not about reducing you to a label or diagnosis. It’s about creating a space where you can begin to understand yourself more fully — including the parts that may feel difficult to name, hold, or share.

How I Work

My approach is relational, grounded, and engaged.

I am not a blank slate therapist. I will think with you, reflect with you, and at times gently challenge where it feels important. The work is not just about talking about your life, but understanding how you experience yourself, others, and the world around you.

I draw from an integrative, trauma-informed approach, including attachment-based and body-focused perspectives. This allows us to explore patterns that show up in your relationships, your emotions, and your body — not just at a surface level, but in a way that leads to meaningful change.

You don’t need to arrive with the right words.
Part of the work is finding a way to understand what has been hard to make sense of.

Areas I Work With

I have a particular interest in working with:

  • shame and self-worth

  • intimacy and relationships

  • sexuality, identity, and erotic life

  • chemsex and compulsive or conflicting behaviours

  • anxiety, low mood, and emotional overwhelm

  • loneliness, disconnection, and belonging

  • the impact of early relational experiences

I am kink-affirming, sex-positive, and work with non-traditional relationship structures, including open and polyamorous relationships.

LGBTQ+ and Neurodivergence

As a queer therapist, this work is both professional and personal.

I have extensive experience working with LGBTQ+ clients and understand the complexity of navigating identity, visibility, and belonging in the world. I also work with neurodivergent individuals, including ADHD and autism, and recognise how these experiences can intersect with gender, sexuality, and mental health in nuanced ways.

Experience, Training & Ongoing Work

Before moving fully into private practice, I worked for a number of years in homelessness and addiction services, where I developed a strong grounding in working with complexity, trauma, and real-world challenges.

I hold a BA (Hons) in Counselling and Psychotherapy from the Institute of Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy (Ireland) and an MSc in Adolescent Psychotherapy from the University of Northampton. I also hold a Diploma in Clinical Supervision across Professions.

I am an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

Alongside my clinical work, I am the Founder and Clinical Director of Rainbow Minds Centre, where I develop and deliver specialist training in gender, sexuality, and relational practice. I have presented at international conferences, including World Professional Association for Transgender Health events, and I am currently engaged in doctoral research exploring men’s mental health and queer experiences of shame.

Working Together

I offer online therapy only, working with clients across Ireland, the UK, and internationally (English-speaking).

Sessions are typically 50 minutes and can be arranged on a weekly, fortnightly, or more flexible basis, depending on your needs and the nature of the work.

I also offer single-session and ad-hoc sessions, particularly for those seeking focused support around a specific issue or returning to therapy at different points.

Longer sessions of up to 90 minutes are available where appropriate.

I offer a free introductory call if you’d like to get a sense of me and how I work before committing.

Fees:
Individual therapy: €80
Relationship therapy: €100
(Fees for extended sessions are adjusted accordingly.)

A limited number of reduced-fee spaces are available.