Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Gig Harbor, WA covered by Aetna

I hold a doctoral degree from a progressive Jesuit school as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Prior, I spent over 10 years in one-on-one home healthcare, studied psychology before nursing, and obtained an EMT certification, with a side interest in Fire and Rescue EMS.

In the past, I considered everything from becoming a veterinarian, an acupuncturist, a wildlife biologist, a gypsy with a fishing boat, a journalist, an underwater welder, an astronomer, an anthropologist, and yes, going to medical school. The nursing field, however, is beautifully versatile, and ended up being on point and on time. I'd like to think I weave into my perspective and practice, threads of all of those other fields.

Exploring the internal world is just an integral part of my life. By now, I'm cozy with cross-cultural/philosophical and belief perspectives surrounding existence, growth, difficult symptoms, and medicines. I've worked with myself - no doubt, but personally and professionally, with a lot of other people for whom it's all been front and center.

Mental health counseling is a form of help that can be tailored to meet the diverse needs of many individuals. Some mental health professionals, including me, intentionally incorporate spiritual or religious elements into their therapeutic practices. I do so because I primarily serve a Christian community, because my clients also adhere to religious principles in their own lives, and I subscribe to the belief that people experiencing distress can especially benefit from the help of God and spiritual empowerment.

My name is Dr. James P. Norris. I received my PhD from the University of the Cumberlands in the School of Social and Behavioral Science in Counselor Education and Supervision. I am an Assistant Professor at the University of the Cumberlands. I am a licensed professional clinical counselor in Washington State, Arizona, and California. My specialty areas are trauma, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and daily stressors. I look forward to connecting with you.

I’m a licensed clinical social worker with a Master’s degree in Social Work, and I’m trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). My approach is practical, supportive, and focused on helping you create meaningful change in your life.

I believe that success looks different for everyone. My goal is to meet you where you are and help you move toward where you want to be—whether that’s improving your mental health, navigating life transitions, or building healthier patterns and relationships. Together, we’ll identify what’s working, what’s not, and develop tools that help you feel more confident and in control.

I strive to create a space where you feel heard, understood, and supported while also being gently challenged to grow in ways that align with your goals

A big passion of mine is supporting moms through all stages of motherhood. Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, adjusting to life as a new mom, balancing work and family, feeling overwhelmed, or trying to find yourself again outside of motherhood — you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Motherhood can be beautiful and exhausting all at once, and I love creating a space where moms can feel supported, understood, and able to show up for themselves too.

I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in Colorado, Idaho Washington & Oregon. I've been in practice 26 years. I graduated from Walla Walla University with a Master in Social Work in 2000. My experience includes working with people with anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem, LGBTQ, relational conflict, grief & loss, and adjustment/transitional challenges. I use a number of therapeutic techniques including Motivational Interviewing, CBT, ACT, Trauma Informed Care, Mindfulness and strengths based techniques. My goal is to help you become a better version of yourself.

As your therapist, I bring several years of experience supporting individuals and families through crisis, healing, and transformation. My background spans emergency departments, inpatient care, child welfare, hospice, and community mental health—each setting has shaped my trauma-informed, solution-focused, and client-centered approach.

Psychotherapy provides a safe place to discuss fears, thoughts, and difficult decisions we as humans must make during our journey in life. I believe we are capable of making life changes with the right tools. I am here to listen without judgement. I believe we all have a story to share. Being heard is one of the most important aspects of communication.

My passion is working with clients who have experienced some form of trauma in their lives. By sharing your story, we can begin to process the trauma from experience to a new understanding, while remaining in the present.

I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensed in Colorado and Texas, and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Washington, with years of experience supporting individuals through life's challenges. I'm based in Fort Collins, CO and work with clients virtually — so you can connect with me from wherever you feel most at ease. I accept several major insurance plans and am currently welcoming new clients.

I enjoy learning about ways we can change and understand our human existence. We are thinking, feeling and doing beings. Cognitive behavioral therapy provides a framework to identify ways to do it differently and better. Trauma treatment modalities like EMDR may support processing neurological and physiological reactions and being able to feel secure and safe while staying connected to others more fully. Our story is just that; we write it and edit it. We get to choose the chapters and path of our lives, through the unknowns, mysteries and celebrations.

My counseling style has been described as warm, affirming and genuine, with a strengths-based perspective and occasional touches of humor. I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and have been working in Private Practice as a therapist for 6 years. In the past I've worked with adults who are experiencing the need to make adjustments to life situations, as well as individuals who are requesting help in overcoming anxiety, depression, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

My practice of clinical psychology is rooted in compassion, cultural humility, and a steadfast commitment to fostering holistic well-being. I am excited about the continued journey of learning, growth, and impact that lies ahead, as I navigate the dynamic landscape of clinical psychology with dedication, curiosity, and an unwavering passion for making a difference in the lives of others.

Working as a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, for the past 20 years, has provide me the privilege to focus on the importance of managing mental health concerns. I enjoy working with individuals ranging ages 9 - 92. This has provided me with the opportunity for growth, being able to learn new cultures, new or previous treatment practices in order to resolve they concerns at hand.