Narrative Therapy Directory

A listing of therapists who include Narrative Therapy among their approaches

James Armstrong, IL Psychologist

Illinois | Online sessions in Illinois | English  |  Book with James »

Therapist focused on narrative and life change

Details

NameJames Armstrong
CredentialsIL Psychologist
Based inIllinois
Licensed inIllinois
Session formatOnline
LanguagesEnglish
Years in practice25

About James

James Armstrong is a licensed Illinois psychologist with 25 years of clinical experience. He focuses on stress, anxiety, self-esteem, motivation, and coping with life changes. He also offers executive and professional coaching to help people navigate career pressures.

He uses Narrative Therapy alongside cognitive and existential ideas to help people tell and reshape the stories that guide their lives. Sessions often include practical strategies from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to change unhelpful thinking and behavior.

Background and approach

Jungian and hypnotherapy perspectives can be drawn on when they fit a person's needs. James aims to create an open, nonjudgmental space where thoughts and feelings can be talked through. He listens for themes in a person’s story and helps name patterns that get in the way of goals.

Conversations move at a practical pace with straightforward suggestions and reflections. Work with him often centers on clearer communication, building self-love, managing workplace and veteran-related stress, and finding purpose during midlife shifts. He supports people coping with guilt, shame, and the strain of major life transitions.

People seeking help will be guided through a simple process to start therapy and choose the session format that suits them. James works collaboratively to set goals and track progress so steps toward change feel manageable and realistic.

What this therapist works with

His listing names Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Coping with life changes among the things James works with, alongside the areas below.

Approaches listed

Narrative Therapy in this listing

Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how he works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.

If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking James directly how he uses it and what a session usually looks like.

Online session options

Narrative and Cognitive Approaches for Online Care

James often uses Narrative Therapy to help people identify the stories they tell about themselves and then try out new ways of describing their lives. This approach can be helpful for folks who feel stuck in repeating patterns or who want a clearer sense of purpose. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is used to spot and change specific thinking and behavior habits that drive anxiety and low self-esteem. That kind of work is practical and problem-focused, useful for reducing daily stress and improving mood. Existential ideas are sometimes woven in to examine meaning, responsibility, and how to face major life transitions.

Picking the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will listen to goals and preferences, discuss options, and adapt methods as needed. Clients help set the agenda and decide whether narrative exploration, CBT techniques, or existential conversations best fit their situation.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Video is useful for deeper conversation and nonverbal cues, phone works when bandwidth is limited, live chat allows shorter check-ins during a workday, and text messaging supports ongoing reflection between sessions. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives and to continue work across locations and schedules.

Common questions about this listing

What kinds of concerns does he help with?

He helps people with stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, coping with life changes, and coaching for work and motivation. Additional focuses include communication problems, guilt and shame, life purpose, men's issues, midlife crisis, veteran and armed forces issues, self-love, and workplace problems.

What is his therapeutic style like?

He emphasizes Narrative Therapy alongside cognitive and existential approaches, mixing discussion of personal stories with practical strategies. Sessions aim to be conversational and focused on actionable steps.

How much experience does he have?

He has 25 years of professional experience working with adults on emotional and career concerns. That background includes clinical work and executive or professional coaching.

What credential does he hold and where is he based?

He is an Illinois Psychologist, IL Psychologist 071003828, and is based in Illinois.

Are sessions offered in languages other than English?

Sessions are offered in English and he accepts international clients.

What session formats are available?

Sessions can be conducted by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs.

How does cost work for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with him?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Contacting this therapist

Sessions with James are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including James where he has space. Ask about fees, and whether he holds a licence or registration where you live.

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