Tariq James

I work with adults and couples who feel stuck in patterns of anxiety, defensiveness, disconnection, or self-criticism. Many of my clients are thoughtful and capable people who understand their problems intellectually but still struggle to create meaningful change.

My style is warm, honest, and engaged. I will listen without judgment, but I will also challenge patterns that may be keeping you stuck. Therapy with me is not about blaming yourself or anyone else. It is about developing greater self-awareness, taking appropriate responsibility, and learning healthier ways to respond to difficult emotions and relationships.

I strive to provide culturally responsive care and welcome clients from diverse backgrounds, identities, and faith traditions.

My approach is integrative, meaning I select interventions based on your needs rather than relying on a single method. My work is primarily informed by Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, cognitive behavioral approaches, acceptance-based strategies, and practical emotion-regulation skills. When working with couples, I also incorporate Gottman Method interventions and help partners identify the negative cycles that keep repeating in their relationship.

Together, we will explore how your experiences, beliefs, emotions, relationships, and current circumstances influence one another. I focus on helping clients move beyond simply understanding what is wrong and begin practicing new ways of thinking, communicating, and responding.

The first session is an opportunity for us to understand what brought you to therapy, what has been happening in your life, and what you would like to change. I will ask questions about your current concerns, relevant experiences, relationships, strengths, and previous attempts to address the problem.

You do not need to arrive with everything perfectly explained. We will work together to organize what you are experiencing and identify the most important areas to address. By the end of the session, we will begin developing a clear direction for treatment and determine whether my approach feels like a good fit for you.