James Oxford (he/him)

How does our past affect us in the present? My background is in psychodynamics, and I work with clients on gaining insight from previous experiences and relationships to see how they may inform us more than at first glance. When we are able to bring to light factors that contribute to unproductive cycles, we can finally start to heal from wounds that otherwise would remain invisible.

Being human is hard. From struggles with making meaning in life to coping with mortality, sometimes it might feel like there is nowhere you can talk about these things. As your therapist, I invite you to use this space to explore any and all areas of what it can feel like to exist.

Do we take our thoughts as the truth? Are we bound by our emotions? ACT is a fundamental part of my approach to therapy, as utilizing mindfulness to make contact with the present moment can provide a lot of insight into how we might relate to our thoughts and emotions. By slowing down the mind, we can become the observer of our lives in the here and now, which allows us to be more intentional in taking actions towards values that matter to us the most.

Whether you are struggling with second-guessing decisions, replaying conversations from last night's party, not putting yourself out there for fear of rejection, or immediately jumping to the worst-case outcome you can think of, recognizing and giving language to these patterns is a crucial first step towards quieting the anxious noise in our brains. We all are humans.

Whether you are struggling with second-guessing decisions, replaying conversations from last night's party, not putting yourself out there for fear of rejection, or immediately jumping to the worst-case outcome you can think of, recognizing and giving language to these patterns is a crucial first step towards quieting the anxious noise in our brains. We all are humans.

Whether you are struggling with second-guessing decisions, replaying conversations from last night's party, or immediately jumping to the worst-case outcome you can think of, recognizing and giving language to these patterns is a crucial first step towards quieting the anxious noise in our brains. I utilize both ACT and Somatic therapy to both bring a mindful "here and now" awareness into anxiety, as well as how stress in the body might influence and impact anxiety levels.

I have experience working with clients who are facing both relational and existential anxiety. Whether it's wondering what others might be thinking of you, wanting to learn about anxious attachment style (or attachment in general), people-pleasing, or difficulty setting boundaries, we'll explore how you show up in relationships and what goals you want to see in relationships moving forward.

Maybe you don't feel like doing the things that make you "you," or look forward towards events that used to excite you, or have stopped reaching out to friends. I want to validate that it can feel so difficult to get out of these places, and therapy can be a great place to start getting some traction. I believe in emotional awareness as a pillar of emotional well-being, and work collaboratively to help you find more of your purpose in life.

We are social creatures, and our relationships have an intrinsic influence on our well-being. Whether trying to make deeper connections, wishing to improve communication skills, or struggling with people-pleasing tendencies, therapy can be a great space to look inward and identify past experinces that may be influencing how we show up in present relationships.

We are social creatures, and our relationships have an intrinsic influence on our well-being. Whether trying to make deeper connections, wishing to improve communication skills, or struggling with people-pleasing tendencies, therapy can be a great space to look inward and identify past experiences that may be influencing how we show up in present relationships.

We are social creatures, and our relationships have an intrinsic influence on our well-being. Whether trying to make deeper connections, wishing to improve communication skills, or struggling with people-pleasing tendencies, therapy can be a great space to look inward and identify past experiences that may be influencing how we show up in present relationships.

We are social creatures, and our relationships have an intrinsic influence on our well-being. Whether trying to make deeper connections, wishing to improve communication skills, or struggling with people-pleasing tendencies, therapy can be a great space to look inward and identify past experiences that may be influencing how we show up in present relationships.

We are social creatures, and our relationships have an intrinsic influence on our well-being. Whether trying to make deeper connections, wishing to improve communication skills, or struggling with people-pleasing tendencies, therapy can be a great space to look inward and identify past experiences that may be influencing how we show up in present relationships.

Maybe you know the pattern: you show up in relationships with good intentions, are flexible with people’s requests, and accommodate to other’s needs–and yet something still feels missing in your relationships. Something feels out of balance. Over time, this can be exhausting, and distance seems like the only outcome. In therapy, we’ll work on vocalizing emotions, needs, and boundaries, as you find sustainability in relationships that factors in your well-being.

I have experience in working with clients through depression, low self-esteem, and a general "feeling stuck" in life. Whether stemming from a trauma, a relationship loss, difficulties with confidence, or just struggling with stress, we'll compassionately navigate what you've been through and how that's impacted your well-being. Your healing starts with your story, and your story deserves space!