- Person-centered work
- Cognitive strategies
- Behavioral tools
About Connie
Connie St. James is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California with three years of documented professional experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, low self-esteem, grief, anger, career concerns, depression, and life transitions. Connie speaks English and practices from a standpoint of practical problem solving and clear communication.
Connie earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, Northridge, and a Master’s degree in Marriage, Family and Child Therapy in 1989 from California Family Study Center. She completed a 3,000-hour internship and passed California’s written and oral exams before receiving her LMFT license in 1992. Those early years included work in a psychiatric hospital, a substance-use treatment setting, and a center for abused children.
After her internship she ran a small private practice in West Los Angeles, later practicing in Palm Desert and facilitating hospital groups focused on major depression. She then stepped away from counseling for a time while working in real estate, and has returned to offering therapy with the perspective of extensive life experience and prior clinical work.
Her approach draws on person-centered, cognitive, and behavioral ideas. Sessions focus on understanding what’s working and what isn’t, naming feelings that are hard to identify, and noticing thought and behavior patterns that contribute to frustration or anger. Connie clarifies, asks focused questions, and helps clients edit the parts of their story that get in the way of their goals.
People who want practical, steady support for relationship problems, handling anger, coping with change, or rebuilding motivation may find this style helpful. She asks clients to set goals and decide when therapy should come to a close, keeping control of the pace and direction of the work.
How her approaches translate to online work
Connie draws on person-centered listening, cognitive strategies, and behavioral techniques. Person-centered work means focused, active listening and letting clients tell their story while the therapist reflects what she hears. Cognitive strategies look at unhelpful thoughts and offer ways to test and change them. Behavioral techniques focus on practical experiments and small habit changes to reduce stress or anger.Finding the right mix of these approaches is part of the process. Connie will work collaboratively to decide which ideas fit a client’s goals and preferences. She asks questions, tries clarifying exercises, and adjusts tasks so they match what a person wants to change.
The original biography does not specify which session formats are offered, so confirm available options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, or remove the need to travel to an office. Licensed professionals can use remote sessions to continue the same practical work on thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that they would cover in person, adapting exercises to the online setting as needed.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Experience
3+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self-esteem, anger, grief, career questions, depression, and coping with life changes.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style combines person-centered listening with cognitive and behavioral ideas. Sessions focus on feelings, thoughts, and behaviors to find practical changes.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has three years of documented experience as a practicing therapist and earlier clinical training including a 3,000-hour internship and work in hospital and treatment settings.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is an LMFT licensed in California and practices from within that state.
Does she work in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
The biography does not list session formats explicitly; confirm current session options before booking.
How are sessions paid for?
Costs vary with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.