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Opportunities for Personal Advancement in Life

Having studied with some of the highest Institutions and Universities in the UK Ray has impeccable qualifications.  His academic qualifications include a PhD in Philosophy, an MSc in Cognitive Psychotherapy, an MA in Applied Ethics in Social Welfare, a BA (Hons) in Psychology, a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and a CertED in Further & Higher Education.  Ray also holds qualifications in a range of professional practices including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Clinical Hypnotherapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Life Coaching.

Ray is a highly qualified practitioner with over thirty years of experience.  He has devoted much of his adult life to supporting individuals and organisations to achieve and grow.  He is widely recognised as a leading innovator in empowering others to reach their full potential and to adopt a positive outlook to all that life brings. Those who interact with Ray (both clients and colleagues) have identified that his relaxed yet professional approach is highly effective in creating a comfortable setting that promotes learning and mutual understanding, enabling a positive commitment towards identified aims and goals.

Ray is highly respected as a motivational influence by many and frequently invited to events as a guest speaker. His positive approach to life and his understanding of the importance of inner well-being stimulates others to recognise the importance of investing in themselves and to explore their inner self.

Rays varied background includes working in Social Work, Health Care, Supported Housing for those with special needs, Counselling, Teaching in Adult Education and Business Management. This has given Ray a richness of experience and skills to draw from in his present work as a therapist, coach and mentor.

As a Therapist, Life Coach and Spiritual Mentor Ray works with individuals in two main areas:

1. Personal Life related topics which can include wishing to make a change in their lifestyle, breaking negative habits or behaviours, addressing past experiences and issues in their lives, building self-esteem, overcoming fears or self doubt, exploring their inner self and obtaining fulfilment in life.

2. Work related topics which can include making a career change, setting up a business, developing management skills, presentation skills, project management, work based conflict and grievance.  Ray is often requested to use his positive psychology coaching skills within organisations to build highly effective teams.

As well as his work as a therapist, coach and mentor, Ray continues to teach within the lifelong learning sector on a range of life affirming subjects. He lectures on a number of nationally accredited courses and is a frequent speaker at conferences and seminars. Ray also teaches on the OPAL positive impact philosophy course and runs a number of seminars across Ireland and the UK for OPAL.

Ray is committed to promoting the right for all to achieve their full potential and works in consultation with a number of other agencies and organisations with this aim in mind. He has been commissioned to conduct a range of research and has published a number of workbooks in relation to Personal/Professional Development, Positive Impact Therapy, Inter-Personal Skills and the development of effective teams.

OPAL was founded by Ray Sawyer-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.

Ray now travels extensively across Ireland and the UK promoting the work of OPAL and delivering motivational seminars. Ray has devoted much of his adult life to supporting individuals and organisations to achieve and grow. He has a wide range of experience in promoting positive thinking and inner well being.

Ray is a member of the British Association of Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP), the National Association of Cognitive Behaviour Therapists (NACBT) and the International Association of Cognitive Psychotherapy (the-IACP).  Ray is listed on the Register of Evidence Based Hypnotherapy & Psychotherapy.  

About OPAL's Founder