James Wise

I’m James Wise, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. My path to this work is grounded in over three years of dedicated clinical practice alongside more than two decades of lay counseling experience. I hold a Master of Marriage and Family Therapy (M.MFT) degree, and I am also an AAMFT Approved Supervisor Candidate.

I specialize in working with individuals, couples, and families (ages 13 and up). A significant focus of my individual practice is helping men navigate anxiety, manage constant pressure, and break through emotional burnout. I also work extensively with couples who feel stuck in repeating cycles of conflict and are looking to rebuild trust and genuine connection, as well as families striving for better communication.

Originally from Texas, my family has lived in the Middle East, Tennessee, and North Carolina. My wife and I have been married for over twenty years and have been blessed with three children. When I’m not in session, you’ll usually find me savoring a good cup of coffee, reading adventure or detective stories, listening to music, playing board games or Wii with my family, or planning my next visit to a national park.

I view therapy through each client's relational context. We don't exist in a vacuum, and the systems, patterns, and past connections in our lives deeply shape how we navigate the present. My therapeutic style is authentic, warm, and down-to-earth—built on real conversations, genuine vulnerability, and a good sense of humor along the way.

In my practice, I blend systemic, attachment-based, and trauma-informed care. Depending on your goals, we’ll draw on practical tools from evidence-based modalities like Internal Family Systems (IFS), the Gottman Method for couples, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). Whether we are working on individual anxiety or relational friction, we’ll focus on understanding the root patterns holding you back so you can move forward with a clearer head and stronger connections.

Your first session is all about creating a comfortable, zero-judgment environment where we can get to know each other. We’ll take time to talk through what brought you to therapy, what you’re currently experiencing, and what you hope to achieve.

My goal is for our initial meeting to feel like a collaborative conversation. We’ll explore your goals, discuss how we can work together using a relational lens, and make sure you feel heard, supported, and confident about our plan moving forward.