Introducing OPAL’s Founder

OPAL was founded by Ray James in 1995 with the aim of promoting positive thinking and assisting all to reach their full potential.  He originally used a room within his house as OPAL’s base and has funded the development and expansion of OPAL to a service that now operates in both the UK and Ireland.                                           Find Out More About OPAL

Ray’s Work Related Background

Ray has quite a varied working background including working in health care, social work, supported housing, counselling, business management and teaching in higher & further adult education on a range of academic and vocational qualification courses.  

For a number of years now Ray has worked as a cognitive psychotherapist specialising in Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).  He also devotes much of his time supporting the work of OPAL, travelling across Ireland and the UK promoting the benefits of Mindfulness, and delivering courses, seminars and other such events, as well as running Mindfulness retreats in Ireland and the UK.

Ray’s Affiliations & Qualifications

Ray is registered with the British Holistic Medical Association (BHMA), is a member of the Association for Contextual Behavioural Science (ACBS) and is accredited by the International Institute of Complimentary Therapists (IICT) to deliver IICT approved courses.

His academic qualifications include a PhD in Philosophy, an MSc in Cognitive Psychotherapy, an MA in Applied Ethics, a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling, a Post Graduate Certificate in Social Welfare, a BA (Hons) in Psychology and a Cert Ed in Higher and Further Education.