About James Chia | Grey Circle Counselling

Hey there, I'm James (He/Him)

This page might be of interest to you, because who I am as a person greatly shapes the therapist you see.

Before the therapist, I am human. And that means I, too, wear multiple hats across different spaces: as a son, a friend, a partner, someone working on procrastination and perfectionism, a kid at heart navigating adult responsibilities while contemplating purpose and meaning in life, and a cross-culture repatriate relearning what it means to find home in Singapore, amongst others. We may not share the exact same lived experiences, but the experiences of joy, grief, connection, loneliness, and pain are universal to being human.

I graduated with my Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counselling from Johns Hopkins University and started practising as a therapist in the US. Across the different populations I have worked with, I've found most joy and privilege in providing affirming care to individuals of the LGBTQIA+ community, in supporting anxious working professionals to navigate workplace stressors and burnout, in healing the wounds and hurt caused by relationships and dating, and in restoring connection for those who have found themselves isolated from their important communities. I am also trained in EMDR and offer trauma work for people who experienced complex trauma and PTSD.

I believe that mental health is relational and systemic. Just as how your hurt did not happen in a vacuum, healing does not happen on your own. The therapeutic relationship you and I build will be equally integral to your healing and growth as the approaches and interventions we use in sessions. Who you are is influenced by the relationships you have, and the relational safety we build in our space and in yourself extends beyond into the important relationships you have with the people you care about.

I aim to foster an anti-oppressive approach to my therapy practice, which acknowledges the systemic inequities that exist and continue to make mental health care inaccessible. For my part in advocating lower barriers to care, I am more than happy to explore an accessible fee agreement for prospective clients who might otherwise be unable to access quality care.

My Philosophy for Healing

Within

This is the relationship we share with ourselves.

Within us is a world of experiences to be held, revered, and celebrated. No emotion or thought is unwelcome or taboo. Nurturing our relationship with ourselves improves our patterns of self-talk and considers how our experiences shape our physiology beyond the emotional and relational. It helps us build a home within ourselves that feels safe, secure, and grounded enough to weather the storms of life.

Between

This is the relationship we share with others.

We are social creatures wired for connection, and with that comes opportunities for healing and hurt. Nurturing our relationship with others improves our ability for communication and connection, while healing from past wounds that keep us in patterns of isolation and distrust. It helps us identify and build a community that is safe and protective, that bolsters and comforts us during times of difficulties.

Around

This is the relationship we share with the world.

We do not exist in a vacuum, but across multiple systems from our immediate communities to the larger society. Our narratives are shaped by the cultures we live in. Nurturing our relationship with the world improves our discernment of societal narratives that keep us stuck and overwhelmed, while equipping ourselves with the tools needed for personal agency in shaping what gives purpose and meaning to ourselves and the world around us.

Practice Values

Authenticity

Come as you are, unfiltered and raw. There is no right or wrong way to show up. All parts of you are welcome in our space.

Groundedness

Our work is rooted in both science and safety. This sets the foundation for healing and change.

Commitment

I am fully invested in our work together, whether it's in the tiniest detail of your story, to my commitment for growth as a practitioner so my approach remains relevant and effective.

Kinship

The relationship we build sets the precedence for the relationships you share with yourself, your communities, and the world around you.

Advocacy

I will advocate for your healing so that you may learn to advocate for yourself. Normalising conversations about mental health is how we reduce stigma and widen access to care.