James Sharkey (he/him)

Therapy with me isn't about changing who you are. It's about helping you feel more connected to yourself, more confident in your relationships, and more equipped to move through life with clarity and self-compassion. Whether you're struggling with generalized anxiety, social anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, people-pleasing, or feeling overwhelmed by the constant pressure to perform, we'll work together to help you feel less consumed by anxiety and more grounded in who you are.

My approach combines neuroscience, evidence-based therapy, and genuine curiosity to help you understand what your brain and body are trying to communicate. Together, we'll identify the patterns keeping you stuck, strengthen your ability to regulate your nervous system, and develop practical tools that fit your life—not someone else's idea of what healing should look like.

You may long for connection while simultaneously fearing rejection, find yourself overanalyzing text messages, questioning where you stand with someone, pulling away when relationships begin to feel vulnerable, or repeating patterns that leave you feeling unseen or emotionally drained. Together, we'll explore how early experiences, attachment patterns, and your nervous system influence the way you give and receive love.

Sometimes our nervous system holds onto experiences long after they have passed, leaving us feeling stuck in patterns of fear, shame, hypervigilance, emotional overwhelm, or disconnection. EMDR creates a structured and supportive space to gently revisit these experiences, reduce their emotional intensity, and develop a greater sense of safety, self-compassion, and empowerment. This work is paced collaboratively and honors your readiness, your identity, and your unique lived experiences.

We explore your values, strengthen your connection to the present moment, and identify the actions that move you toward the life and relationships you want to create. This work is about learning that you can carry discomfort, uncertainty, and vulnerability while still choosing authenticity, connection, and meaningful change.

CBT is not about simply “thinking positive” or dismissing difficult emotions. It is about understanding the relationship between your thoughts and your nervous system, challenging beliefs that no longer serve you, and building practical skills to navigate stress, relationships, and life’s challenges with greater confidence. This work honors your lived experiences while helping you create more flexibility, self-trust, and choice in how you respond to yourself and the world around you.