01 · Who James works with

James works with stress, Anxiety, relationship issues and family conflicts

James lists 7 specialisms and 7 further focus areas. Specialisms are the subjects James chose to list first, which is the closest a listing gets to “this is my actual practice”.

02 · In James's own words

What James says about the work

Reproduced in full and unedited - not summarised, not tightened, not rewritten in a house voice.

I have over 30 years LCSW therapy experience with both individuals and groups . I have BS Psychology & MSW from the University of Iowa. My primary therapy focus is Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy treating all mental health disorders. Working with client's to help them better understand themselves and work towards alleviating the concerns that bring them to therapy.

James Cline, on the BetterHelp listing · read 9 Oct 2026

03 · How James works

The 1 approach James lists, in plain English

These are the clinical methods James lists. The descriptions are Maker Therapy's, not James's - a general explanation of what each method is, so the list means something before you have spoken to anybody. They are not a claim about how James runs a session.

Cognitive Behavioural TherapyCBT

Structured, present-focused work on the loop between what you think, how you feel and what you then do. Usually means noticing a thought pattern in the room, testing it against evidence, and practising something different between sessions. Among the most heavily researched talking therapies for depression and anxiety.

04 · What happens next

From this page to a first session

James practises through BetterHelp, so the route in is BetterHelp's. This is that sequence, written by Maker Therapy from the platform's published process - not a description of James's own practice, and not a promise about how quickly anything happens.

1. A questionnaire, not a booking form

   BetterHelp opens with a set of questions about what you are dealing with, what you want from therapy, and any preferences on the therapist. You are not booking James at this point.

2. Naming James specifically

   BetterHelp matches algorithmically by default, so asking for James is a step you have to take. There is a field for requesting a specific therapist during sign-up, and you can switch afterwards from your account. Starting from a link on this page does not by itself assign you to James.

3. If the caseload is full

   You will be offered somebody else rather than put on a waitlist. Worth knowing, because it is easy to assume a match is the person you asked for.

4. The first conversation

   A first session is typically history and orientation: what brought you, what has been tried, what you want to be different. It is also where the questions in the next section belong.

5. If the fit is wrong

   Changing therapist on BetterHelp does not need a reason. A first session that does not click is common and is not a verdict on therapy. That option existing is the main practical difference between a platform and a private practice.

05 · Before you commit

3 questions worth asking James

Built from what James actually lists, so they are answerable and specific rather than generic. Maker Therapy's, not James's - James has not seen them and is under no obligation to answer any of them.

• “How do you decide when someone is ready to work on a traumatic memory itself?”

  Pacing is the biggest safety question in trauma work. A clear, unhurried answer here matters more than any credential.

• “With 30 years in, what has changed most in how you work?”

  Long experience is only an advantage if it has been examined. This tends to surface whether it has.

• “How do you handle the gap between sessions if something comes up?”

  On BetterHelp this varies a great deal by therapist. Better to know the rhythm now than to discover it on a bad week.

06 · Practical details

Credentials and licensing

Credential

LCSW

Licensed in

California

Licence

CA LCSW 15152

Licence number

15152

Licence expires

31 Dec 2027

NPI

1972510584

Years in practice

30

Gender

Male

Languages

English

International clients

Accepted

Listed since

29 Jun 2026

07 · Provenance

Where every line on this page came from

James's name, credential, state, subjects, approaches and biography are read from BetterHelp's therapist roster, which Maker Therapy re-reads once a day; this page reflects the reading taken on 9 Oct 2026. The licence number and NPI are cross-checked against public registers.

The plain-English method descriptions, the first-session walkthrough and the questions are written by Maker Therapy and labelled as such wherever they appear.

Maker Therapy is not BetterHelp, does not take bookings, and has not met James. There are no reviews or ratings on this page because we have no way to verify one. If you start therapy through a link here, we may be paid a commission - it does not change your price and it does not affect who appears here or in what order.

Something on this page wrong or out of date? Report it and it will be checked against the source.