James Oxford MA, LMHC

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.

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.

ACT is a really helpful way of understanding how we relate to our thoughts, emotions, and ideas of self. Rooted in mindfulness, it can provide a foundation for slowing down thinking patterns, bringing more intentionality towards values, and developing a relationship with how we see ourselves.

Life can be full of unanswerable questions. How we approach them determines a lot in how we end up deciding what to do and what not to do. As your therapist, I am passionate about holding space as you explore some of these areas around identity, meaning, and decision-making.

If you've ever wondered how what you have experienced in the past influences how you show up in the present, then you share that with one of the major tenets of psychodynamics. From early attachment figures and relationships to how we learn to cope with painful emotions, we'll develop useful and practical insights that make us feel connected and informed to our real-time decision-making.

Trauma can be a thing that unfortunately gets left "in the past," because of when it occurred. But what you've been through matters, as it is a big part of who you are today. Sometimes trauma can get confused for other things as well: anxiety, relationship struggles, depression, confusion and so much more. At your pace, we'll explore meaningful and significant events in your life, and honor them with the dignity and purpose that they deserve.

Sometimes anxiety looks like overthinking. Other times it might look like avoidance. I know how tough it can be to be totally present when anxiety is sitting in the driver's seat. From waking up worried in the middle of the night to replaying conversations you just had with a friend, anxiety works hard to keep us from letting our guard down. My goal is to help clients learn more about their anxiety, where it may come from, and how it relates to other emotions and bigger themes in life.