James Wankel, LCSW, LISW-CP
Practical, story-focused therapy for life challenges
Details
| Name | James Wankel |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LCSW, LISW-CP |
| Based in | North Carolina |
| Licensed in | North Carolina, South Carolina |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 5 |
About James
James Wankel is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, and holds an LISW-CP in South Carolina. He offers practical help for people dealing with stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma, ADHD, and life transitions. His tone is straightforward and compassionate in sessions.
He listens for the story behind the struggle and helps people put words to what they are feeling. Sessions focus on clear goals and steps clients can try between meetings.
Background and approach
James blends compassion with approaches that help people notice patterns and try new actions. James uses narrative ideas to help people separate themselves from painful events. He also draws on client-centered methods to follow each person’s priorities and on cognitive behavioral tools to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.
Mindfulness and motivational interviewing are used when they fit a person’s goals. He has five years of clinical experience and practices in North Carolina. James works with people facing issues like communication problems, body image, chronic illness, dissociation, and addiction.
He also supports people managing parenting roles, first responder stress, and commitment worries. Sessions are offered by video, phone, live chat, and text messaging. English is the language used for therapy.
To begin, a person completes a short matching questionnaire and schedules sessions according to the therapist’s availability.
What this therapist works with
His listing names Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse among the things James works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Trauma and abuse
- Coaching
- ADHD
- Abandonment
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture
- Blended family issues
- Body image
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Dissociation
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Eating and food-related issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- First responder issues
- Gender dysphoria
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Men's issues
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Multicultural concerns
- Narcissism
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Personality disorders
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Post-traumatic stress
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Sex addiction
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Sexual dysfunction
- Sexuality
- Smoking / vaping cessation
- Traumatic brain injury
- Trichotillomania
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in his listing among his approaches.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by James among the ways he works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by James among the ways he works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by James among the ways he works.
- Motivational Interviewing: Listed by James among the ways he works.
- Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by James among the ways he works.
- Internal Family Systems: Listed by James among the ways he works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask James directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how he works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking James directly how he uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How narrative and practical methods work online
James commonly uses Narrative Therapy to help people tell and reshape the story they carry about themselves. This approach separates a person from their problems so they can see options and try new roles in everyday life. It can be useful for trauma, identity concerns, and repeating relationship patterns.He also draws on Client-Centered Therapy, which means sessions follow the person’s pace and priorities. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is used to spot unhelpful thoughts and test small behavioral changes that reduce distress. CBT often helps with anxiety, stress, and managing symptoms of ADHD.
Finding the right approach is a shared process. The therapist will talk with clients about goals, try methods that fit their needs, and adjust plans as progress is made. People are encouraged to give feedback so the work stays relevant to their life.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when visual cues help. Phone sessions need less bandwidth and can be easier to fit into a break at work. Live chat and text messaging work well for short check-ins, reflections between sessions, or when writing feels more natural.
Common questions about this listing
What concerns does this therapist help with?
He supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, ADHD, and life transitions. Additional focus areas include body image, chronic pain and illness, communication problems, and first responder issues.
How would you describe the therapist's style?
The approach is conversational and goal oriented. He listens for each person’s story and then helps set practical steps to try between sessions.
What is his background and experience?
He has five years of clinical experience working with adults on a range of concerns like addiction, trauma, and ADHD. His work emphasizes understanding personal history and current challenges.
What credentials and location apply to this therapist?
He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and holds an LISW-CP in South Carolina. He practices in North Carolina.
Which languages and international options are available?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are offered?
Therapy is available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Different formats can suit different schedules and needs.
How does cost and payment work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with this therapist?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire. Then schedule sessions according to the therapist’s availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with James are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including James where he has space. Ask about fees, and whether he holds a licence or registration where you live.
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