About James
James Votaw is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) based in Massachusetts with 18 years of clinical experience. He holds a Master of Arts in clinical mental health counseling and has worked both in outpatient settings and as an emergency room crisis clinician. He offers a calm, respectful space where people can talk about what’s worrying them.
James listens first so he can understand each person’s view before suggesting next steps.
Background and approach
James focuses on practical strategies that people can use right away. He helps with anxiety, stress, depression, sleep problems, addictions, and phobias. He also supports people dealing with grief, trauma, control struggles, guilt and shame, and work-related stress.
In sessions he blends client-centered listening with techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness. That means people get both a chance to be heard and simple tools to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. He also uses motivational interviewing to help people find their own reasons to change.
James describes therapy as a collaborative process. He works with each person to set goals and to develop concrete plans for coping between sessions. He prefers clear, plain language and practical exercises rather than jargon.
Sessions are available in English and Japanese. James works with adults seeking help for everyday struggles and longer-standing issues. He draws on his crisis experience when urgent challenges arise, while keeping an eye on long-term progress.
Approaches that translate well to online care
James uses client-centered therapy to create a space where people can speak openly and be listened to without judgment. This approach focuses on understanding your perspective and building a helpful working relationship that guides the rest of treatment.He also draws on cognitive behavioral therapy, which breaks down problems into thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches concrete steps to change unhelpful patterns. CBT can be helpful for anxiety, phobias, sleep problems, and mood concerns. Mindfulness techniques are used alongside these methods to strengthen attention and reduce stress through simple, moment-to-moment practices.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with you about goals, try techniques that match your needs, and adjust the plan based on what feels most useful. That collaborative process helps shape a plan that fits your life and preferences.
Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make scheduling easier. Video is useful when visual cues and demonstrations help, phone can be a lower-bandwidth option, and messaging or live chat can suit brief check-ins or work-day checkups. Those options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy routine while still focusing on practical, skill-based change.
Questions people ask
What kinds of concerns does James address?
What is his therapy style like?
How much clinical experience does he have?
What credentials and region are associated with this therapist?
Which languages are supported?
What session formats are available?
How are fees handled?
How do I begin working with him?
What this therapist works with
Most often
Also listed
- Addictions
- Anger management
- Career difficulties
- Control issues
- Coping with life changes
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Guilt and shame
- Immigration issues
- Men's issues
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Phobias
- Post-traumatic stress
- Relationship issues
- Sleeping disorders
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Trauma and abuse
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 18 years
- Licensed
- Massachusetts
- Languages
- English, Japanese
We will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you.