James Hayford (he/him) is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Raleigh, North Carolina. He graduated from Colorado College in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree from the Religion, Culture, and Power Department and earned a master’s degree in mental health counseling from the University of Dayton in 2017. In the meantime, he worked in the music business, was a stay at home dad to his two kids, and became a certified yoga teacher. James brings everything he has learned along the way into how he approaches therapy and relating to his clients. As your therapist, James offers openness, creativity, compassion, and humor, with attention to spirituality and the mind-body connection. He is also trained in Positive Psychology, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, and somatic techniques. 

James worked in community mental health for nearly 9 years serving diverse clients and successfully addressing anxiety and depression, suicidal thoughts and self harm, grief and trauma, relaxation and stress management, acute and chronic illness, sex and sexuality, spirituality, relationship issues, men’s issues, and gender. Additionally, he has strengths in assisting individuals and partners with intimacy, sex, communication, and relationship challenges. He supports couples, partners engaged in consensual non-monogamy, and he is kink-affirming, to help people create the relationships they want. James’ counseling style is integrative, drawing from multiple theories like CBT, DBT, and parts work, and adapting to your specific needs. If you decide to work with him, you will make a plan together!

He provides cultural, racial, and LGBTQ+ affirming therapy, and he enjoys working with diverse clients from all backgrounds and walks of life. James works with teens, young adults, and adults through the lifespan. His goal is to help you find out if you and him will be a good fit by providing a free 15 minute consultation to discuss what you need from therapy.

James is here to help by holding space with you through therapeutic sessions rooted in compassionate care and nonjudgment. He provides a safe environment to process and try new techniques and approaches that center your experience, discovery, and healing.

James currently works with individuals aged 13 years and older.