James Wankel, LCSW, LISW-CP

James Wankel is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Licensed Independent Social Worker-Clinical Practice (LISW-CP) based in North Carolina. He works with people coping with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, ADHD, and those seeking coaching through life transitions. He aims to treat each person as an individual and to provide steady, practical help for day-to-day struggles.

He focuses on understanding each person's story before suggesting tools or goals. Sessions are collaborative and straightforward. James uses listening, reflection, and clear steps so people can try things between meetings and notice what helps.

His background includes five years of clinical experience working with diverse concerns such as communication problems, body image, chronic pain and illness, commitment issues, and first responder issues. He also supports people dealing with abandonment, autism and Asperger Syndrome, BDSM and kink-related topics, blended family issues, and fatherhood challenges.

James draws on several therapeutic approaches to match the work to the individual. He combines client-centered methods with cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, motivational interviewing, and narrative work to address both immediate symptoms and broader life patterns. The pace and focus are adjusted to fit each person's goals.

People who choose James typically want a practical, down-to-earth style with clear options to try at home. He aims to help people build resilience, reduce overwhelm, and make steady progress toward the changes they want.

How James blends practical approaches for online work

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the person rather than the problem. The therapist listens closely, reflects what matters to you, and helps you set goals that feel right. This style helps with building trust and sorting out what to work on first.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts and behaviors influence feelings. It often uses short, actionable exercises to reduce anxiety, manage stress, or change unhelpful patterns. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and support emotional regulation.

Choosing the right approach is a team effort. James will talk with you about your goals and try methods that match your needs and preferences. If something doesn’t fit, he will adjust the plan so the work feels useful and manageable.

Session options are not listed here, so confirm current formats before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, shorten check-ins when needed, and avoid travel time. It can also allow for different ways of working, such as stepping through practical exercises together or using brief coaching-style conversations to move toward specific goals.