A clear beginning, without a fixed script.

The Consultation Call

A short conversation before you decide.

The process begins with a free consultation lasting 15 to 20 minutes. It is a chance to say what has led you to look for counseling and to ask the practical questions that matter to you. You do not need to tell your whole history or prepare a polished explanation. A few sentences about what has become difficult are enough to begin.

James will listen for whether his experience and way of working appear to fit what you need. You can ask about his approach, availability, the telehealth format, fees, or insurance through Headway. If your primary concern is addiction or an eating disorder, he will refer you to a clinician who specializes in that work rather than beginning treatment that does not match the need.

The consultation is not a therapy session and does not obligate you to continue. Its purpose is to help both of you make a considered decision about the next step.

The First Session

You begin with what is most present now.

The first full session lasts 60 minutes. There will be room for relevant history, but you do not have to tell your life story in order or fit everything into the first hour. James may ask about what is happening now, what has changed, what you have already tried, and what you hope might become different.

A first session also establishes the practical frame. Counseling is telehealth only, and you must be physically located in North Carolina during the appointment. James is licensed in North Carolina only. You will need a private setting, a stable internet connection, and a device that can support secure video.

You may leave the first meeting with a clearer sense of the problem, or simply with the experience of having said more than you expected. There is no required emotional result. Beginning is information in itself.

The Early Weeks

The work develops through attention and repetition.

Early sessions often involve learning the shape of a pattern together. James may ask you to slow down at a particular sentence, notice what happens in the body, or examine the thought that arrives before a familiar reaction. The work can include dialogue, cognitive approaches, mindfulness, emotional regulation, or a brief guided practice when that is useful.

You are not expected to perform insight or agree with every observation. A working relationship becomes useful through candor, including the ability to say when something does not fit. James brings fifty years of clinical practice, but the session remains collaborative. Your knowledge of your own life matters.

Change is not presented as a guaranteed outcome or a straight line. Some weeks bring a clear connection. Others are quieter, practical, or uncertain. Together you can review whether the work is helping and what needs to shift.

Frequency and Practical Details

Consistency matters more than a perfect pace.

Many people begin with weekly sessions because regular contact gives the work continuity. How often you meet can be discussed based on your needs, availability, and the nature of what brings you in. There is no universal length of treatment. Some people work on a defined concern for a shorter period, while others continue longer as the work develops.

Sessions cost $180 and are scheduled for 60 minutes. Appointments are available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Scheduling, payment, and insurance administration are handled through Headway.

This is not a crisis service and messages are not monitored continuously. If you are in immediate danger, call or text 988, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room. The contact form is for general inquiries and should not include detailed health information.

Keep Reading

Related Information