Counseling
Stress Management
Feeling stressed and anxious is the body’s way of alerting us to potential problems. However, when these feelings occur without a real threat, it can become an issue. The good news is that you don’t have to live with anxiety or stress. Therapy is often an effective way to address these symptoms, as it helps identify the root causes and provides tools for relaxation and improved coping skills. With therapy, you can learn to approach situations from a different perspective and reduce fear.
Depression Treatment
Feeling occasional ups and downs is a natural part of life. However, if the lows you experience start to interfere with your ability to function and enjoy life, it may be time to seek help. Luckily, through therapy, there are many strategies you can use to change how you feel. It is possible to overcome depression and regain control of your life. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treatment, so James will employ various methods to help you feel better. Whether you need to make significant life changes immediately or prefer to take things one step at a time, we will tailor the approach to suit your needs and help you feel positive again.
Relationship Support
Relationship problems can be extremely difficult and painful, especially when they run deep. It may seem impossible to overcome the pain caused by someone we care about, but it’s important to remember that challenges in a relationship don’t always mean it has to end. James will support you in managing your problems, overcoming crises, and working through communication barriers and disagreements. He’ll assist you in setting goals, understanding your needs, and improving communication. Building a strong relationship takes time and effort! Learn how to develop the expectations, maturity, and skills needed to navigate your relationship healthily and productively.
Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Support
Although social acceptance of different sexual orientations has improved greatly over the last 20 years, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals still face prejudices and a stigma that many “straight” people do not. Dealing with social acceptance and coming out to one’s family can create a great deal of anxiety and stress for LGBTQ individuals and many times, leads to a feeling of low self-esteem or self-worth. James Kelleher has extensive experience working with the LGBTQ communities in both Arizona and New York City and understands the unique challenges these individuals face. He welcomes clients of all sexual orientations and identities, young and old!
Personal Growth & Development
Similar to improving your physical fitness through hard work, you can also improve your emotional well-being. James can help you build a strong emotional foundation, enabling you to tackle life’s challenges with confidence. He also offers assistance with goal setting and developing healthy relationships to support you in achieving your personal goals!
Grief & Loss Counseling
Grief is a common reaction that people experience after a loss. While many associate grief with the loss of a loved one, it can also occur after the loss of a job, health, or divorce. People experience grief in various ways, influenced by cultural beliefs and personality. For some, the grieving process is brief and manageable, while for others, it can be a long process involving regret, anger, abandonment, relief, or self-blame. In some cases, grief can be overwhelming and lead to stress, anxiety, or depression. James recognizes that grief is a process and offers guidance to help individuals navigate these natural reactions to loss. He can help you to develop coping mechanisms to facilitate healing from the pain.
Communication Skills Training
Many people struggle to communicate their thoughts and feelings. For some individuals, an even greater challenge is having the ability to listen to others. Poor communication skills can lead to unnecessary arguments and misunderstandings that can be toxic to relationships and your career. James Kelleher can teach you effective communication techniques, such as getting your intended message across and learning to be an effective and active listener. You will find that developing effective communication skills is an important foundation for success in all aspects of life: relationships, friendships, and work.
Self Esteem Support
An individual’s self-esteem relates to their sense of self-respect, self-worth, and overall satisfaction with themselves. Early influences on self-esteem can have a profound effect on how we see ourselves as children. Even those with high self-esteem can experience moments of low self-worth or value as a result of a sudden life change or perceived failure. Therapy is very effective when dealing with self-esteem issues. James Kelleher works with clients to help them recover control and feel empowered again.
Trauma & PTSD Counseling
The impact of trauma on people varies from one individual to another, and there is no right or wrong way to feel after experiencing trauma. You may experience fear, danger, disturbing memories, or vulnerability if you have experienced trauma. You may feel overwhelmed and unable to trust people or go about your daily routines. Therapy is an excellent way to learn skills to understand and cope with traumatic events. Through a variety of therapeutic techniques, James Kelleher helps people move forward after a traumatic event, relieve psychological stress, and begin the healing process.
Chronic & Terminal Illness Support
Dealing with a chronic or terminal illness can be one of the most challenging experiences a person can face. It impacts not only the individual but also family and friends. Typically, individuals may go through different stages of grief, including denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and eventual acceptance. Additionally, they may experience fear, stress, or anxiety. Seeking therapy can provide valuable support in navigating these stages and managing the associated emotions. James Kelleher is dedicated to providing a supportive ear and assisting individuals and their families during challenging times.
Life Transitions
Grief is a common reaction people feel after experiencing a loss. While many associate grief with the loss of a loved one, it can also occur after the loss of a job, health, or divorce. Individuals experience grief in various ways, often influenced by cultural beliefs and personality. For some, the grieving process is short-lived and manageable, while for others, it is a longer process involving feelings such as regret, anger, relief, or self-blame. In some cases, grief can be overwhelming, leading to stress, anxiety, or depression. James Kelleher understands that the grieving process is complex and helps individuals navigate natural reactions to loss, developing coping mechanisms to heal from the pain.
Therapeutic Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a type of therapeutic treatment that focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
It is used to treat people suffering from a wide variety of issues including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, mood/personality disorders, and eating disorders.
People often experience thoughts or beliefs that can result in problematic or unhealthy behaviors that in turn affect relationships, family life, work, or school.
The goal of CBT is to help clients recognize these negative thoughts or beliefs, challenge their validity, and learn to overcome them.
Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)
By using a nonjudgmental and non-confrontational approach, MET is a therapeutic method that aims to increase a client’s awareness of the potential problems that can be caused, consequences that may be experienced, and risks that are faced by certain behavior.
It attempts to erase the ambiguity that is faced when considering certain behaviors and challenges clients to think about what might be gained through change.
Therapists who employ MET in their practice help clients to envision a better future and become motivated to achieve it.
Eye Movement Desensitization (EMDR)
Traditionally used for post-traumatic type therapy, EMDR is now also being used to treat anxiety and depression.
EMDR is an interactive therapeutic approach that focuses on eliminating or reducing the stress that is associated with traumatic memories.
It involves focusing on an external stimulus (traditionally eye movements) while attending to emotionally disturbing thoughts.
These emotionally disturbing thoughts are then targeted and internal and external triggers are desensitized. This effectively removes the roadblock to healing and allows the mind to heal much like a physical wound would.
Many studies have shown that clients undergoing EMDR therapy can benefit very quickly from sessions that traditional psychotherapy would have taken months to accomplish.
The Gottmam
Method
The Gottman Method is a thoroughly researched approach to couples therapy that aims to improve communication, emotional connection, and conflict resolution.
It helps partners navigate their relationship by fostering a deeper understanding of each other, enhancing mutual admiration, and building trust.
Couples learn how to respond positively to each other’s emotional needs, reduce negative interactions, and handle disagreements constructively.
The goal is to create a stronger emotional bond, support each other’s dreams, and cultivate shared rituals that enrich the relationship.
Sessions are tailored to each couple’s needs, using personal assessments and therapeutic interventions.