Natasia James

Hi! I'm Natasia ("Tasi") James, a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Virginia. I earned my bachelor's degree from the University of Louisville in 2015 and my Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Kentucky in 2021.

My journey into the mental health field began long before graduate school. As an undergraduate, I worked as a Youth Counselor at a residential facility for adolescents in state care, where I helped young people develop healthy coping skills, build meaningful relationships, and gain the confidence needed to navigate adulthood. That experience sparked my passion for walking alongside others during some of life's most challenging moments.

From 2016 to 2020, I had the incredible opportunity to live in Japan, where I worked as an Assistant Language Teacher in Japanese public schools. While teaching full time, I pursued my master's degree and focused much of my research on improving access to mental health care for expatriates living in Japan. That experience broadened my perspective on the ways culture, identity, and systemic barriers influence mental health and continues to shape how I approach therapy today.

At the heart of my work is a deep passion for supporting individuals recovering from eating disorders, chronic dieting, body image concerns, and the impact of weight stigma. I practice from a Health at Every Size® (HAES)-aligned, weight-inclusive perspective, believing that healing is about so much more than changing your body-it's about rebuilding trust with yourself, reconnecting with your values, and creating a life that feels authentic and meaningful. I strive to help clients challenge harmful societal messages, develop a more compassionate relationship with themselves, and find freedom beyond food and appearance.

Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, identity exploration, or co-occurring concerns, my goal is to create a space where you feel genuinely seen, heard, and accepted. I believe therapy should be collaborative, empowering, and even include moments of laughter along the way. You can expect me to show up with warmth, authenticity, curiosity, and humor while gently challenging you to grow in ways that align with the person you want to become.

My therapeutic approach is integrative and tailored to each individual, drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Person-Centered Therapy, and trauma-informed approaches. I work with adolescents, adults, and families and have experience supporting individuals with eating disorders, body image concerns, anxiety, depression, trauma, mood disorders, co-occurring disorders, LGBTQ+ concerns, BIPOC communities, and major life transitions.

I truly believe that healing happens when people feel safe enough to be fully themselves. It would be an honor to walk alongside you in that journey.'