Laina James (she/her)

AMFT, M.A. Integral Counseling Psychology
Accepting Clients

Welcome! I'm Laina and I'd love to help you find more balance in your life.

Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in Santa Cruz, CA
Supervised by Tim Hartnett, M.A., LMFT

Services
  • Individual
  • Couples

About My Clients

I work with a variety of issues, including anxiety, indecision, low self esteem, codependency, depression, lack of purpose, and stifled creativity, to name a few. I’m also passionate about working with individuals and partners to explore their sexuality, addressing sexual challenges (ex. low/high libido) and articulating desires. I am kink and poly friendly.

My Background and Approach

I prefer to work with clients outdoors when possible, as I find the natural environment provides additional support and subtle direction for the therapeutic process. I am happy to meet at local nature spots in and around Santa Cruz, or on the land I tend in the Santa Cruz mountains (technically Los Gatos). I especially enjoy working with clients somatically (noticing what's happening in the physical body) as a way to identify, gauge, track and explore emotions, triggers and memories. I am also informed by IFS (Internal Family Systems), EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy), and NVC (Non-Violent Communication).

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

Just as disease in the body usually stems from some sort of systemic imbalance, dis-ease in our relationships, our hearts and minds, and our day-to-day experience often stems from imbalance as well. My approach will focus on helping you to achieve more balance in yourself and in your relationships, in order to experience more of what you want (joy? freedom? pleasure? security? consistency? connection? aliveness? adventure? trust? peace?) and less of what you don’t want. I work well with clients who are motivated, open-minded, and looking for the help of a compassionate guide rather than an expert who will "fix" things for them. If you are curious about developing or improving your relationship with the non-human world (animals, plants, land, water, etc) as part of your healing journey, even better. If you think that we might work well together, please reach out. I look forward to meeting you!

I offer online counseling in the following states:

At A Glance

  • Experience: 6 years of practice
  • Languages: English
  • Rate: $85 - 120/session

Info

831-316-4943 Email Laina
700 Frederick Street
#103
Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Reach out to Laina