James Garrison

I'm a licensed mental health counselor and certified DBT therapist working with adults across New York virtually. My background spans community mental health, private practice, and substance use treatment which means I've worked with people at some of their hardest points, not just in mild-to-moderate presentations. I take a lot of care to show up as a genuinely affirming therapist for LGBTQIA+ clients, trans clients, and anyone whose identity shapes the way they move through the world. You don't have to educate me on the basics. I work with anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, identity, relationship issues, and more and I adapt my approach to what you actually need rather than running a standard protocol.

Eclectic in the truest sense, not as a dodge. I draw from DBT, IFS, CBT, CPT, REBT, and Motivational Interviewing, and we figure out together what actually fits your situation. Some people need concrete skills for managing anxiety or intrusive thoughts. Others need space to understand where patterns started. Most people need both. I'm direct without being blunt, creative without being scattered, and honest about what I observe because in my experience, that's what actually moves the needle in therapy. I take your goals seriously and I'll tell you what I think, not just reflect your words back to you.

Expect a real conversation, not a clipboard. We'll cover some relevant history, but I'm more interested in what's showing up for you right now and what you want to be different. By the end of the first session, you'll have a clear sense of how we'd work together and whether it feels like the right fit. I want you walking away with something useful not just a follow-up appointment on the calendar.