Chacko (James) Vadayil Varkey, PACFA - Therapist in Australia

Emotionally-Focused Therapy
Attachment work
Couples mediation

About Chacko

Chacko (James) Vadayil Varkey is a PACFA clinical psychotherapist in Australia with 12 years of experience. He works with people facing stress, anxiety, relationship problems, family concerns, trauma and abuse, and depression. Sessions are offered in English, Hindi and Malayalam.

James trained across theology, criminology, psychology and family law before moving into psychotherapy. He also holds accreditation as a family dispute resolution practitioner with the Attorney General's Office in Australia. That background informs how he talks about relationships, separation and parenting matters.

He uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy alongside approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centred Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. In practice he helps people name emotions, understand patterns and try new ways of relating to others.

James has worked with a wide range of concerns, including identity issues, complex trauma, PTSD, attachment difficulties, personality and mood conditions, and communication and commitment problems. He also supports people dealing with abandonment, adoption and foster-care questions, and blended family issues.

Sessions aim to be straightforward and practical. He combines therapeutic and spiritually informed perspectives when clients wish to include them. People can expect clear conversations about goals and next steps rather than technical language.

To begin, clients use the site process to complete a short questionnaire and schedule a first session. Costs vary by location and are provided through a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.

How therapeutic approaches shape online sessions

Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) focuses on identifying and expressing core emotions and on changing interaction patterns, which can help with relationship and attachment issues. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) uses values-based actions and mindfulness to reduce avoidance and increase psychological flexibility for stress and anxiety. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at early relationship patterns and how they affect present behaviour and closeness, useful for attachment concerns and ongoing relationship difficulties.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals and preferences and help pick the approach or combination that fits best. That decision is collaborative and can change as therapy progresses.

Confirm the current session formats before booking, as the biography does not list specific online options. Online sessions can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. The therapist will explain which formats are available and how to schedule sessions through the matching and booking process.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse Depression

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCo-morbidityCodependency Commitment issues Communication problems Control issuesDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separation Domestic violenceEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHearing impairedHIV / AIDSHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / loneliness Jealousy Life purpose Midlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depression Post-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential Therapy Gottman Method Imago Relationship Therapy Jungian Therapy Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy Internal Family Systems

Experience

12+ years

Listed in

Australia

Languages

English, Hindi, Malayalam

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does he help with?

He works with stress, anxiety, relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, and depression, plus related issues like attachment and identity.

How does he approach therapy?

He uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy alongside ACT, Attachment-Based, Client-Centred and CBT methods to help people name emotions and change interaction patterns.

What is his professional background?

He has 12 years of professional experience and training across theology, criminology, psychology and family law, and works as a PACFA clinical psychotherapist.

Which credential does he hold and where is he based?

He is credentialed with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and practises in Australia.

Which languages are supported in sessions?

Sessions are offered in English, Hindi and Malayalam.

Can international clients work with him?

He does not accept international clients at this time.

How are fees handled?

Costs vary with location and sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.

How do I start a session with him?

Select the see online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.

Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.