- CBT tools
- Mindfulness practices
- Motivational interviewing
About James
James Wankel is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in North Carolina and also holds an LISW-CP from South Carolina. He has five years of clinical experience working with people who face stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma and abuse, ADHD, and coaching for life transitions. He lists blended family issues among his focus areas and can help individuals sorting through stepfamily challenges.
James favors clear, practical conversations. He listens first, then helps people set small goals that feel doable. Sessions often include straightforward skills for managing anxiety, motivation for changing addictive behaviors, and ways to reduce overwhelm during major transitions.
His work makes use of client-centered techniques that prioritize the person's own perspective. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy tools are used to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and try new behaviors. Mindfulness approaches help with grounding and managing stress in the moment.
James also uses motivational interviewing to support change when motivation is mixed, and narrative therapy to help people reframe difficult experiences. He has experience with concerns such as abandonment, communication problems, fatherhood issues, and first responder stress. He notes experience with kink and alternative sex culture, autism and Asperger syndrome, body image, chronic illness, and eating or substance-related issues.
People can expect direct talk, practical strategies, and steady follow-through. The practice asks prospective clients to complete a short matching questionnaire to begin and to schedule an initial session after that step.
Approaches used and how online sessions function
James uses Client-Centered Therapy to prioritize the person's own perspective and help them shape the work. That approach focuses on active listening and building goals that matter to the individual. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is used to identify unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviors; it can be helpful for anxiety, stress, and patterns that keep returning.Finding the right approach is collaborative. James will discuss options with each person, try methods that fit current needs, and adjust over time based on what helps. The therapist and client decide together which tools to keep and which to change.
The biography does not list specific online session formats, so please confirm which formats are available before booking. In general, online work can make it easier to fit sessions into daily life by avoiding travel and allowing shorter check-ins or sessions that match a break at work. Some approaches, like CBT or motivational interviewing, can be carried out effectively in remote sessions while focusing on skills, planning, and tracking progress.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
5+ years
Listed in
North Carolina, South Carolina
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What issues does he help with related to stepfamilies?
He lists blended family issues among his focus areas and can help individuals navigate stepfamily roles, loyalty conflicts, and merging household routines.
What is his general therapeutic style?
He uses direct, practical conversations that start with listening. Sessions focus on goal-setting, skills practice, and checking progress.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has five years of experience as a clinician working with stress, anxiety, trauma, addiction, ADHD, and life transitions.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is an LCSW in North Carolina and holds an LISW-CP in South Carolina. His listed location is North Carolina.
Can I work with him if I live outside the United States?
International clients are not currently accepted. Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats does he offer?
The original biography does not specify session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How does billing or cost work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with him?
Begin by selecting the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule your first session.
Online talk therapy is for adults and is not emergency care, mediation or legal advice. If you or a child are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.