James Wankel, LCSW, LISW-CP

Licensed in North Carolina · 5 years in practice

James Wankel is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in North Carolina who helps people manage stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma, ADHD, and life transitions.

License and registration

LCSW, North Carolina: C019216 · expires November 2027
LISW-CP, South Carolina: 18468 · expires December 2026
NPI: 1821728593 · national provider identifier
Years in practice: 5
Languages: English

Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check any license with the state board and any NPI with the national registry.

About James

James Wankel is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in North Carolina who helps people manage stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma, ADHD, and life transitions. He brings five years of clinical experience and a direct, straightforward manner to sessions. James aims to make therapy practical and focused on what helps in daily life.

He follows a client-centered approach, which means he starts by listening and shaping goals with each person. He also uses cognitive behavioral techniques to identify unhelpful thinking and build healthier habits.

Background and approach

Mindfulness practices are woven into sessions to help with grounding and managing intense emotions. His work covers a broad range of concerns beyond the main specialties, including body image, chronic pain and illness, communication problems, dissociation, and substance use. People come for help with commitment worries, blended family stress, fatherhood questions, and recovery from trauma or abuse.

He also offers coaching-style support when clients want practical steps to change. James describes his style as compassionate and direct. He focuses on clear goals, small experiments, and skills people can use between sessions.

Sessions tend to be conversational, with concrete tools that fit daily routines. He uses plain language and a respectful tone. If someone prefers structured homework or a looser exploration of life events, James adapts his approach.

The aim is steady progress, one step at a time.

Focus areas and approaches

Everything James lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.

Stress, Anxiety
Addictions
Trauma and abuse
Coaching
ADHD
Abandonment
Autism and Asperger Syndrome
BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture
Blended family issues
Body image
Chronic pain, illness, and disability
Commitment issues
Communication problems
Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
Dissociation
Drug and alcohol addiction
Eating and food-related issues
Family problems
Fatherhood issues
First responder issues
Gender dysphoria
Guilt and shame
Impulsivity
Infidelity
Isolation / loneliness
Jealousy
Men's issues
Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
Multicultural concerns
Narcissism
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Personality disorders
Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
Post-traumatic stress
Prejudice and discrimination
Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Self-harm
Sex addiction
Sexual assault and abuse
Sexual dysfunction
Sexuality
Smoking / vaping cessation
Traumatic brain injury
Trichotillomania

Approaches James names

Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.

Online support

How therapeutic approaches translate to online work

Client-Centered Therapy means sessions begin with listening to what matters most and shaping goals together; this helps people who want a personal plan rather than a preset roadmap. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting patterns of thought and behavior and trying small changes to see what helps, which works well for anxiety, stress, and some addictive behaviors. Mindfulness Therapy adds simple attention and grounding exercises to reduce reactivity and improve focus during daily tasks.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences. Plans are adjusted as progress is tracked, with check-ins about what feels useful and what should change.

Online sessions offer practical benefits. Video calls let people use visual cues and practice skills in real time. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Live chat and text-based messaging are useful for brief check-ins, coaching-style questions, or ongoing support between longer sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, caregiving, or busy schedules.

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Questions people ask

What concerns does James commonly address?

He works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, coaching needs, and ADHD, plus related issues like body image and chronic pain.

What is his therapeutic style like?

His style is compassionate and direct, focusing on listening, clear goals, and practical skills people can use between sessions.

What background and experience does he bring?

He has five years of clinical experience and applies a mix of client-centered, cognitive behavioral, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and narrative approaches.

Where is this therapist licensed and based?

He holds an LCSW in North Carolina and an LISW-CP in South Carolina.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available online?

He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging as ways to meet.

How are payments and pricing handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and 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 the therapist's availability.

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