- Emotionally-Focused Therapy
- Attachment work
- ACT and CBT tools
About James
Dr. James Wood is a California-licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) with 34 years of clinical experience. He helps people manage stress, anxiety, addiction concerns, trauma and abuse, depression, and offers coaching for life transitions.
He often begins by listening to what matters most to the person in front of him. Sessions focus on naming difficult emotions and noticing the patterns that keep problems repeating. Conversations are direct and practical, with time spent on what to try between sessions.
Dr. Wood draws on Emotionally-Focused Therapy and attachment-based ideas to look at how close relationships and early family ties influence current feelings. He also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and cognitive behavioral tools to help people clarify values and try small behavior changes.
Many clients bring concerns linked to abandonment, adoption and foster care, or family-of-origin issues. He also works with people facing codependency, communication or control problems, grief, guilt, shame, and isolation or loneliness.
His background includes long-term clinical practice and a history that informs his work with people affected by substance use, divorce or separation, eating and food-related problems, and recovery from HIV/AIDS related stress. He has written a forthcoming memoir titled Different Drummer that reflects on those life experiences and their impact on his work.
Sessions are carried out in English. Prospective clients should confirm current session options and formats before booking by following the online therapy steps on the profile.
How his approaches translate to online work
Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) focuses on identifying and naming strong feelings and the patterns they create in relationships. It helps people notice what they feel and how those feelings shape interactions and personal choices. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify values and take small committed actions toward those values while learning to live with difficult thoughts. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at early relationship patterns and how they affect current emotional responses and closeness in relationships.Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist and client discuss goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. They decide together whether to emphasize EFT, ACT, attachment ideas, or cognitive-behavioral tools as therapy progresses.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current online options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. These practical benefits help people keep therapy consistent while working on emotions, patterns, and behavior changes with a licensed professional.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
34+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he help with?
He helps people with stress, anxiety, addiction concerns, trauma and abuse, depression, and provides life coaching for transitions.
What is his therapeutic style?
He combines Emotionally-Focused Therapy and attachment-based ideas with ACT and CBT techniques to focus on feelings, patterns, and practical change.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has 34 years of professional work experience as a practicing clinician.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is a California LMFT and practices out of California.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does he accept clients from other countries?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your 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.