My professional life began in high-performance corporate environments, where I spent more than two decades working under sustained pressure and responsibility. During that time, I earned an MBA from George Washington University and completed postgraduate work at Emory University. Those years gave me a firsthand understanding of what it means to function at a high level while quietly carrying the personal cost that often comes with it. My transition into clinical work was not a typical career change—it was a necessary shift toward meaning, balance, and long-term well-being. Over the past decade, I earned a second master’s degree and have provided psychotherapy in a psychiatric hospital, residential treatment programs, and private practice. My focus has been on helping people work through trauma, chronic stress, and identity concerns—especially when the lives they’ve built no longer feel sustainable or aligned. A formative part of my training included several years of intensive clinical work with individuals involved in a Drug Court program. That experience reinforced the importance of safety, clarity, and respect in the therapeutic relationship, and the understanding that change happens when people feel genuinely seen and understood. My approach is structured yet flexible, direct yet compassionate. I work best with people who want a steady, thoughtful space to slow down, make sense of their experience, and move forward with greater clarity and self-trust.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Therapy at Tip The Scales Counseling is structured, collaborative, and goal-focused. We’ll work from a clear case plan and treatment plan so we both know what we’re working toward and how progress is measured. Sessions are skills-based and evidence-informed, with flexibility to adjust pacing and focus based on your needs, readiness, and safety. This structure helps keep therapy intentional, accountable, and effective—while still centered on you.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I combine clinical trauma therapy with strategic, real-world experience in high-stakes professional environments. My approach is direct, structured, and adaptable, shaped by thousands of hours of hands-on work across multiple modalities. I understand the tension between external performance and internal overload, and I help clients resolve that conflict through customized, outcome-focused treatment rather than one-size-fits-all therapy.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I welcome any Adult client who is willing to engage in the work and participate in a structured, accountable therapeutic process. This includes individuals who want more than symptom management and are open to using a clear case plan and treatment plan to identify, target, and address underlying contributors to distress, recurrent stress injuries, or stalled growth. Ideal clients value measurable progress, are open to evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches beyond unstructured talk therapy, and are willing to show up consistently, reflect honestly, and apply skills between sessions. This work is collaborative, direct, and results-oriented, with the shared goal of creating meaningful, sustainable change across emotional, relational, and functional domains.
Trauma Informed Care
At Tip The Scales Counseling, therapy is structured, supportive, and tailored to you. We use a clear case plan and treatment plan to guide the work, focusing on safety, skill-building, trauma and stress processing, identity development, and values-based growth. Sessions are practical and evidence-based, with flexibility to adjust pacing and focus based on your needs, readiness, and life circumstances. This approach helps keep therapy focused, measurable, and effective—while still human and collaborative. Sessions typically begin with assessment, education about the process, and stabilization skills such as grounding and emotional regulation. As therapy progresses, we focus on resolving identified stress and trauma, exploring identity and values, and strengthening follow-through, accountability, and long-term support. Optional sessions may include recovery, spirituality (12-step–informed) or codependency education, when relevant. This framework is a guide—not a rigid script—and clinical judgment is always used to adapt the work to you.
17 ratings with written reviews
November 20, 2025
Jim brings a background and disposition to listen, then work through issues. Direct yet personal. Kind yet no nonsense. Cut to the issue, suggest a solution, create a plan, check on progress next week. He helps me find ideas, then keeps me on track to go after them. He's happy, fun, intelligent, enjoyable and I leave each session with a to-do list to success.
October 22, 2025
James was great! Very prepared, mindful, helpful, open..its now going to turn Mondays into my favorite day of the week. First time using Grow therapy exceeded All my expectations! Great pick
July 29, 2025
Outstanding. I went to another therapist before I booked this and he James is 110% better then what they offered