Works with
- Anger
- Stress, Anxiety
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
How James works
Practical facts
- Credentials
- CA Psychologist
- Licensed in
- California
- Years in practice
- 9
- Languages
- English
- Session format
- Online, through our partner platform
About James
Dr. James Chavers welcomes people who are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to turn. He writes plainly and listens closely to understand what matters most to each person.
Dr. Chavers is a California psychologist who offers a steady, nonjudgmental presence while helping people sort through anger, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, and life transitions. He earned a master’s degree and a doctorate in clinical psychology at Antioch University Santa Barbara.
Background and approach
For nine years he has worked in a variety of settings, including jails and prisons, community health clinics, and colleges and universities. That range of experience shaped his practical approach to real-life problems. In sessions he blends familiar methods like cognitive behavioral therapy with acceptance and commitment therapy and client-centered conversation.
He uses mindfulness and motivational interviewing to help people notice patterns and choose actions that match their values. Work often focuses on concrete steps - small experiments, new habits, or clearer communication - rather than long lectures. Dr.
Chavers has experience helping people with addiction, trauma, grief, sleeping problems, sexual health topics, gender and sexuality concerns, chronic illness, and anger. He also supports people dealing with career strain, caregiver stress, and family-of-origin issues. His background includes work with older adults living with HIV and students navigating college life.
He aims to be direct and compassionate. Sessions are collaborative: he listens first, then offers tools and perspectives tailored to each person’s goals. The aim is steady progress, one practical change at a time.
What James works with
Everything James lists, in the therapist's own terms. Anger is the reason this directory exists; the rest tells you what usually sits alongside it in James's practice.
- Stress, Anxiety
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Addictions
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Sleeping disorders
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- ADHD
- Aging and geriatric issues
- BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture
- Body image
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Co-morbidity
- Communication problems
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Forgiveness
- Gender dysphoria
- HIV / AIDS
- Immigration issues
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches James lists
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Somatic Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Approaches and how online sessions work
Dr. Chavers often uses cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to change mood and reactions. CBT is useful for anger, anxiety, sleep trouble, and patterns that keep people stuck.He also draws on acceptance and commitment therapy, which helps people clarify values, accept difficult feelings, and take committed steps toward what matters to them. That approach can be helpful for grief, chronic stress, and life transitions.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. He collaborates with each person to decide which tools to try and adjusts methods over time. The process is conversational and goal focused, with practical exercises between sessions when helpful.
Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy fit a busy life. Video is useful for face-to-face conversation and teaching skills. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or someone prefers not to use video. Live chat and messaging are good for quick check-ins, brief coaching, or keeping momentum between longer sessions. These options make it simpler to schedule regular work and try different formats to see what fits best.
Questions people ask about James
What concerns does Dr. Chavers help people with?
He works with a wide range of concerns including anger, anxiety, depression, stress, relationships, addictions, trauma, grief, sleep problems, self-esteem, bipolar symptoms, and ADHD.
What is his therapeutic style like?
He practices in a collaborative, respectful way that blends client-centered listening with practical techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing.
What is his professional background?
He holds a master’s degree and a doctorate in clinical psychology and has nine years of experience in jails, community clinics, and higher education settings.
Where is he licensed and based?
He is a California psychologist holding the credential CA Psychologist 32025 and practices in California.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with him?
He is not currently accepting international clients; sessions are provided to those located where his California practice permits.
What session formats are available online?
He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to provide flexible ways to connect and keep regular contact between meetings.
How are fees and getting started handled?
Costs vary with location and timing and use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time. To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.