James Braga

Clinical Social Worker, LISW-S

Many of us feel stuck, aren't looking for a quick fix and want a deep, lively therapy experience that can actually make long-term, lasting change possible. A lot of folks continue to be stuck despite their best effort. Some feel empty or depressed; others feel unable to quiet their minds or ease the tension in their bodies. Many desire help understanding what they want or need. Some need support facing their fear to approach what they want. Some want help getting beyond the roles they've felt compelled to fulfill. And others wish for assistance in trusting, loving or managing lack of belongingness.

Regardless, most of us want to feel more connected with others, with feeling alive inside, and with a deeper sense of purpose. My approach is person(-ality) centered, mindful, relational, and depth psychological. My approach honors what you want to change in your life. We work to understand deeply, in a present (mindful) way, the barriers to you getting it.

I work with individuals & couples. I have a special interest in working with trauma, relationship issues, personality concerns ("disorders of the self"), anxiety/stress, self-image/identity concerns, gender & sexuality concerns and depression. I also regularly work with concerns including, but not limited to, ADHD, grief/loss,, substance use, personal growth, work, emotion regulation.

Therapeutic Style & Orientation: I approach therapy in a present, active, authentic and collaborative manner. My perspective is trauma-informed, neuroscience-informed and an integration of the theories & methods of: Contemporary/Relational Psychodynamic Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, PolyVagal Theory, Attachment Theory, Emotion Focused Therapy and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy.

Specialized/Intensive Post-Graduate Training Programs:
-NeuroAffectiveRelationalModelâ„¢ (NARM) Level 2/NARM Therapist Training, Complex
Trauma Training Center (*Currently enrolled in Spring 2025 cohort)
-Advanced Clinical Seminar one-year program, The Stephen Mitchell Relational Study
Center (2022-2023, completed)
-One Year Introductory Program in Relational Studies, The Stephen Mitchell Relational
Study Center (2021-2022, completed)
-Two Year Distance Learning Program in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Institute for the
Psychoanalytic Study of Subjectivity (2019-2021, completed)
-Gestalt Training Program (GTPXX), Gestalt Institute of Cleveland (2017-2019,
completed)
-One-year Post-Graduate Clinical Fellowship in University Mental Health, Counseling &
Consultation Service--The Ohio State University (2017-2018, completed)

Areas of Expertise

Anxiety
Bipolar Disorder
Conflict Resolution
Depression
Emotion Regulation
Gender Concerns
Identity / Self-image
Identity-Based Trauma
Life Transitions
LGBTQ+ Concerns
Mindfulness
Panic Attacks
Relationship Counseling
Stress Management
Trauma Recovery