- CBT methods
- Mindfulness practice
- Motivational interviewing
About James
James Wankel is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, and holds an LISW-CP in North Carolina with five years of clinical experience. He works with adults who are dealing with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, ADHD, and coaching for life changes. Sessions focus on practical steps and honest conversation rather than jargon.
In the room he listens for the real problem beneath the symptom. He uses straightforward questions and reflective listening to map patterns that keep people stuck. From there he and the client try small, testable changes to see what helps in daily life.
He draws on client-centered methods to follow a person’s goals, and uses cognitive behavioral techniques to spot unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Mindfulness practices are offered as simple skills for grounding and attention. Motivational interviewing can support people working through ambivalence about change.
James has experience with a wide range of concerns beyond his main specialties. These include abandonment, autism and Asperger syndrome, BDSM and kink culture, blended family issues, body image, chronic pain and illness, eating issues, fatherhood questions, and first responder stress. He approaches these topics directly and without judgment.
His work aims to help people talk through painful memories, get clearer about current choices, and build manageable coping strategies. People who come to him often want concrete ways to reduce shame, handle relapse or setbacks, or improve daily functioning. To begin, prospective clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session.
How his approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting to clarify a person’s goals. Online sessions use that same plain talk to identify what feels most important and what changes matter day to day.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at connections between thoughts, feelings, and actions. In virtual sessions this often means tracking specific thoughts, trying brief behavioral experiments, and reviewing what did or didn’t help between meetings.
Mindfulness Therapy offers simple attention and grounding practices to reduce overwhelm. These can be guided in session and practiced between appointments to help steady attention and emotion regulation.
Choosing the best approach is a collaborative process. He will discuss options, try different methods, and adjust based on goals and how the work is going. Clients and therapist decide together which strategies to keep or change.
The biography did not list specific online formats, so confirm the available session types before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when helpful, and avoid travel time. Licensed professionals can use this flexibility to focus on practical skills, thought-pattern changes, and steady supports that carry into everyday life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
5+ years
Listed in
North Carolina, South Carolina
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of guilt or shame does he address?
He works with adults struggling with guilt or shame related to stress, trauma, addiction, ADHD, and relationship or identity concerns.
How does he approach guilt and shame in sessions?
He uses client-centered listening alongside cognitive behavioral and mindfulness tools to name painful thoughts and try small changes that reduce their grip.
What experience does he bring to this work?
He has five years of clinical experience helping people with anxiety, trauma, addictions, and life transitions.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is an LCSW and holds an LISW-CP licensed in North Carolina.
Does he offer sessions in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English and he is not accepting international clients.
What formats are used for sessions?
The original biography did not list session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How are sessions paid for and what does cost look like?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.