James Barnes MSc., MA., MBACP

James Barnes, MSc., MA., MBACP

Humanistic and relational healing—the foundation of our profession & what AI will never be able do. 

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into mental health care has sparked both innovation and debate, offering a critical moment to reflect on what our human being is and what the human being in distress needs. 

In this thought-provoking talk, James will delve into the foundational principles of humanistic and relational psychology & psychotherapy, emphasising their indispensable role in addressing mental suffering and their irreconcilable differences with the reductive, technology-driven frameworks that increasingly dominate contemporary discourse. James will illuminate how genuine healing emerges from authentic, empathetic engagement with the whole person—rooted in presence, understanding and shared human experience—which is precisely what data-driven analyses, algorithmic interventions, and formulaic solutions lose. 

This talk serves as both a celebration of the enduring importance of human connection in mental health care and as a passionate call to action. James will urge professionals and advocates to resist the creeping dehumanisation of the mind, and to challenge the encroachment of technological overreach that prioritises efficiency over empathy and standardisation over soul. In an era where AI promises progress, James reminds us that the essence of healing lies beyond the reach of computation—in the irreplaceable depth of human relationships.

Meet James Barnes

After studying psychology philosophy in the UK & the US, James trained as a psychotherapist in San Francisco. He has a psychotherapy practice in Exeter and works with clients remotely.
He has a deep interest in the intersection between the person-centered approach and relational psychoanalysis. James writes articles on mental health and psychotherapy on such platforms as Aeon magazine and Mad in America, regularly provides workshops and CPDs and can be found speaking at events in the UK and abroad. 

James is involved in the broad movement to ‘de-medicalise’ emotional and psychological distress. He is very passionate about the ideas and practices involved, which he brings to his teaching.