ABOUT ME
I truly believe that the decision to seek counseling is a brave one, especially because it can be scary to consider. My goal as a therapist is to make clients feel supported, heard, and understood as they take this huge step. I believe that each client holds instinctive, inner wisdom about what they want and need for a healthy life, and that therapy is a wonderful way to uncover this.
One of my core values - both professionally and personally - is to treat each individual with respect, as it relates to their unique background. As a therapist who holds white, hetero, cis gender privilege, I am committed to self-reflection and accountability about how this privilege could show up in our therapy, with the goal of creating - and maintaining - an emotionally safe and trusting environment.
Clients have described me as caring, non-judgmental and compassionate. They've noted that I've helped them develop strategies to manage life's stresses, and to understand their tendencies in new ways.
“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” - Brené Brown
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Board Approved Clinical Supervisor (BACS) and hold a license in both Louisiana and Illinois. I received my Masters in Social Work from the University of Chicago in 2007 and have completed Level II of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, an evidenced-based body-oriented therapy for safely exploring trauma-related symptoms; for more information on this model go to: https://www.sensorimotorpsychotherapy.org/home/index.html.
The majority of my 20 years of clinical experience has been with individuals and couples dealing with a range of issues including childhood trauma, addiction, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and relationship difficulties, among others. I believe in a mind/body approach to treatment. I also believe that the strength of the therapy relationship can be healing.
The theories/concepts that most influence my approach to therapy are Attachment Theory, Mindfulness, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and Emotionally Focused Couple's Therapy, among others.
"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." - Maya Angelou
HELPFUL DETAILS
I offer a free 15- 20 minute telephone consultation where you'll have the opportunity to ask any questions and to see if it would be a good fit for us to work together.
Contact Info:
christinajamesllc@gmail.com
504-250-2517
Good Faith Estimate/No Surprises Act
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
SERVICES I OFFER
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
Individuals seek therapy for a variety of reasons, maybe not fully known when they first come. I see my role as creating a safe, welcoming environment for us to work together to identify your needs and goals.
COUPLES THERAPY
Couples therapy can be a helpful way to improve healthy, direct communication and to work on increasing a sense of connection. My approach to couples therapy is informed by Attachment Theory, Emotionally Focused Couple's Therapy, mindfulness, and a trauma-informed perspective.
PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOPS
I have experience doing professional workshops in various settings, including Psychiatry Grand Rounds at University of Illinois at Chicago ("UIC"); UIC Department of Occupational Therapy; University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration; Communities in Schools of Chicago; The Brown School of Social Work at Washington University.
Professional Workshops include:
Trauma and the Body
Ethics in Social Work
A Clinical Approach to Management
CBT in Group Therapy
Attunement with Clients
Mindfulness-Based Psychotherapy
Shame in Psychotherapy
Clinical Boundaries
Self-Care
Assertiveness
Stress and Anger Management
