Hi I’m James,

I offer individual therapy for folks ages 18 and older. I’m a Registered Social Worker and I’ve been providing mental health and community care for over 10 years.

As someone who has benefitted from counselling myself, I understand that it can be tricky, trying to find the right therapist for what your specific needs are. I want to just say that even the act of “looking” for a mental health provider is a big step in the right direction.

Goals Matter, But So Does Your Day To Day Quality Of Life

I am a big fan of the quote by Stephen Hayes: “The process of living is like taking a very long road trip. The destination may be important, but the journey experienced day to day and week to week is what is invaluable.”

I think it’s very easy these days to get caught up on big goals, there is a lot of pressure to achieve! But sometimes when you focus so much on long term targets, your day to day life begins to suffer. While therapy is helpful for achieving goals, it is also great at giving space to the little things that can add real joy into your life, and make the journey towards your goals a lot more pleasant.

What You Can Expect In Our Therapy Sessions

In our time together, you can expect a good back and forth conversation. As a therapist, it’s pretty much my job to be curious, so I’m going to ask questions, but I also invite you to ask me anything that you’re unclear about.

One question that is at the heart of my approach as a therapist is “how did you come to know what you know? I think that this is a question that isn’t often asked, but it can impact how you view yourself. I‘m here to help you to understand yourself better. There are always new ways of knowing and thinking, therapy is a great place to explore this.

My Story and My Journey

I’m someone who grew up in a pretty small town, and being openly gay in my adolescence led to a lot of bullying.

I think that feeling a bit like an outsider, and wanting to understand why people do the things they do, was a big motivator for becoming a therapist. I also wanted to help others who were struggling, which is part of why I became a Social Worker, since then I could work in the public sector as well (which I’ve done for years).

There was a time early in my career that I began to struggle with my own mental health and with the help of a therapist, I was able to learn how to better support myself, know my needs, and manage my emotions. I continued to learn about myself with my own counsellor and I believe that therapy is a great way to gain self acceptance and a path to living life honestly, and unapologetically.

As You Go Forward On Your Journey, What Is Important To You?

Who and what is important to you in your life? This is an important question, and one we will explore in our therapy sessions together. I’m here to help you to learn how to connect with what matters to you in life and identify the experiences that get in the way of building an existence that gives you meaning and value. If you’re interested in exploring these questions, reach out. I’m accepting new clients and offer both online therapy and in person at Integra’s Burlington location.