James Graves, PhD, PsyD
Psychologist
License:   PSY18196   

Clinical and Consulting Psychology

My offices are in the heart of Pasadena


James Graves, PhD, PsyD
572 E. Green Street
Suite 304
Pasadena, CA 91101



626-844-0212


j.graves@sbcglobal.net



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
My interest and involvement in the practice of psychology goes back to the early 1970’s, initially as a volunteer. During my first doctoral program in Human Physiology at Duke University, I joined the Durham County Crisis and Suicide Prevention Program (a so called “hot line”). While working on my dissertation in coastal North Carolina, I co-founded a drug abuse and suicide prevention hot line program and served as the Interim Director. After completing my PhD at Duke, I moved to Toronto for my postdoctoral training where I volunteered in a crisis intervention program based in a hospital emergency room. We provided crisis and/or assessment services to any ER patient who came in with a psychological problem.

After a successful 13-year career as a medical school faculty member, I retrained in the area of health promotion and wellness. A consulting assignment in Los Angeles resulted in a job in a health education firm and a move to this area. Around 1990 I established a consulting firm, providing organizational consulting and corporate training, primarily in the “soft skills” such as conflict resolution, stress management, anger management, substance abuse awareness and workplace violence prevention.

In the mid-1990’s the opportunity arose to go back to school and follow my passion to become a licensed psychologist. I obtained a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree and did my clinical training in a variety of settings – a community mental health clinic, a youth prison (CYA), a psychiatric hospital, and in a private practice. Once licensed, I combined the organizational and clinical work into one firm, providing psychotherapy for private clients and organizational consulting and executive coaching for corporate clients.

I am an active participant in the community of psychologists as a member of the California Psychological Association, a member of the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles County Psychological Association and a member of the San Gabriel Valley Psychological Association. I am on the Psychology Committee of Aurora Las Encinas Hospital in Pasadena, where I also hold privileges to practice.


APPROACH TO THERAPY

I am well grounded in a variety of approaches (i.e., theoretical orientations) to therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, client-centered, self psychology, attachment theory and emotionally focused couples therapy. However, research has demonstrated over and over the most important component of therapy that leads to healing is the relationship between therapist and client. Therefore, I use whatever approach works best for the client while providing a non-judgmental and caring therapeutic environment. In addition to my formal training and experience as a psychologist, I bring over six decades of varied life experience to my work with the client. One long-term, former client described me as having “. . . a well-developed combination of intellect, intuition, compassion and real-life regular guy experience.

Services

Areas of Expertise

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