James Fitzgerald, PsyD is a relational and psychodynamic therapist who believes meaningful change happens through trust, curiosity, and a strong therapeutic relationship. He works collaboratively with clients to better understand the emotional, behavioral, and relational patterns contributing to distress while building new ways of responding that feel more authentic and fulfilling. James strives to create a space where clients feel safe exploring difficult experiences with honesty, reflection, and compassion, balancing emotional depth with practical tools for growth. He approaches therapy with empathy, humility, and openness, valuing collaboration and feedback throughout the therapeutic process.

James approaches therapy from a psychodynamic and relational framework, placing strong emphasis on the therapeutic relationship as a foundation for healing and growth. He believes therapy is most effective when clients feel emotionally safe enough to explore difficult internal experiences and use the therapeutic relationship itself to foster insight, emotional understanding, and lasting change. His work focuses on developing a shared understanding of the emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal patterns contributing to distress while helping clients cultivate new ways of responding that feel more personally and relationally fulfilling.

James works with individuals navigating depression, identity concerns, intense emotional experiences, shame, perfectionism, relational difficulties, and challenges with developing or maintaining close relationships. To support clients experiencing relationship concerns, he incorporates mentalization-based interventions to strengthen reflection, improve emotional regulation, and promote healthier patterns of connection.

He also has extensive experience working with individuals experiencing OCD and anxiety disorders, integrating Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based strategies, and psychodynamic exploration to support both symptom relief and deeper emotional understanding.

James’ therapeutic style is grounded in empathy, curiosity, humility, and respect for each client’s unique lived experience. He aims to be warm, direct, collaborative, and thoughtful in his work, welcoming feedback and maintaining openness throughout the therapeutic process.

Outside of therapy, James enjoys running and mountain biking, especially on steep trails and in new places with friends. He also has a long-standing love for film and enjoys going to the movie theater whenever he can.

James is currently a postdoctoral resident pursuing hours toward licensure. He earned his PsyD in Clinical Psychology from the APA-accredited California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Sacramento, in May 2025. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science from Northern Arizona University.

During his doctoral training, James completed both a year-long practicum and doctoral internship at Vantage Point Center for Psychotherapy, where he gained experience working with clients from diverse backgrounds presenting with a wide range of concerns. He also completed training at an intensive outpatient program specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders, where he provided evidence-based treatment to individuals experiencing anxiety-related conditions.

In addition, James trained in a high school setting, where he developed experience administering and interpreting intellectual assessments to support educational planning and determine IEP qualifications.

English.

SUPERVISED BY: DR. CATHY ROJAS, LICENSED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST #PSY32090