Mind Diagnostics is user-supported. If you buy through a link on the site, we earn a commission from BetterHelp at no cost to you. Learn More

Dr. James Chavers, Psychologist

Experienced mental health professional

Provides online counseling through BetterHelp

At a glance

James is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.

4.5 stars
Clients are very satisfied with James. View 11 reviews
Speaks English
Offers Telehealth visits
Licensed in California

Recent reviews

Dr. Shavers is an excellent therapist. He listens and communicates well. He allows you to talk through things and discover new ideas on your own while also asking the right questions to help get you there along the way. He clearly takes good notes and has genuine interest and compassion for his patients. I’d recommend him to anyone that is looking for a quality therapist that spends time helping you with your issues while simultaneously being just a nice guy to talk about every day life with. He understanding, caring and knowledgeable in his craft.

Reviewed September 2021

Dr Chavers has been a joy and a delight to talk to, especially after the recent years. He is very open minded and empathetic to your situation and has a nice way of getting to the main issues even if you are unsure yourself!

Reviewed August 2021

More about James

  • 9 years' experience
  • Male
  • Psychologist

It is by suffering that human beings become angels. – Victor Hugo

Hello, my name is James Chavers. Thank you for taking the time to read my counselor profile.

I am a clinical psychologist licensed and living in California. I earned my masters and doctorate in clinical psychology at Antioch University Santa Barbara. I have worked and trained in locked settings (jails and prisons), community health clinics, and colleges and universities for 9 years. I have worked with older adults living with HIV, addiction, and life course diseases, inmates of all genders preparing to transition out of locked settings, and students from 18-50+ navigating the difficulties of college life.

Collaborating with my patients, we have worked through relationship, substance abuse, family, gender, sexuality, sexual assault, mood, and trauma issues, to name a few. My clients and I have worked together using a variety of modalities including Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), Motivational Interviewing, and Client-centered Therapy.

Incorporating Humanistic philosophies in my work, I believe that every person is deserving of love and respect. Each person is the expert of their own life. My purpose as a therapist is to support, suggest, and succor as needed.

Finding the right counselor is akin to meeting a great friend. You want someone in your life who accepts you unconditionally, but is not afraid to call you out when you do something stupid. This friend takes the time to listen carefully to what’s going on, and then if you like, shares some insight. This friend is solidly in your corner and makes you feel like you are the most important person in the room. This friend stands by you and walks by your side as you work through your challenges.

I have been blessed to have people like that in my life. If you give me the privilege, I would like to pay those experiences forward…to you.

James Chavers

PSY32025

Pronouns: He, him, his

Specialties

Stress Anxiety LGBT Relationship issues Depression Coping with life changes Addictions Family conflicts Trauma and abuse Grief Intimacy-related issues Sleeping disorders Anger management Self esteem Career difficulties Bipolar disorder ADHD Aging and geriatric issues BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture Body image Caregiver issues and stress Co-morbidity Communication problems Divorce and separation Domestic violence Family of origin issues Family problems Fatherhood issues Forgiveness Gender dysphoria HIV / AIDS Immigration issues Isolation / loneliness Life purpose Men's issues Midlife crisis Mood disorders Multicultural concerns Panic disorder and panic attacks Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships Prejudice and discrimination Self-love Sexual assault and abuse Sexuality Social anxiety and phobia Workplace issues Young adult issues

Treatment Approaches

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Client-Centered Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Mindfulness Therapy
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Solution-Focused Therapy
  • Somatic Therapy

Licenses

Dr. James Chavers's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1801401260.

  • Psychologist · California · 32025 · Expires September 2026

About online counseling

Affordable.
Pay a low flat fee.
Convenient.
Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
Available now.
There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.

Online counseling allows you to receive care from a mental health practitioner via phone, video chat, or instant messaging. It is convenient for those who may have trouble getting to or would prefer not to have in-person therapy appointments. Starting at $65 per week, online counseling is generally more affordable than in-person counseling. A study by researchers at University of California, Berkeley found that online counseling can be just as effective as face-to-face therapy while being more convenient, affordable, and accessible.

Reviews for Dr. James Chavers

All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.

Overall rating:

4.5

11 reviews

5
4
3
2
1

Clients mention: Genuine Great Understanding Anxiety Caring Comfortable Compassion Empathetic Excellent Helped

Dr. Shavers is an excellent therapist. He listens and communicates well. He allows you to talk through things and discover new ideas on your own while also asking the right questions to help get you there along the way. He clearly takes good notes and has genuine interest and compassion for his patients. I’d recommend him to anyone that is looking for a quality therapist that spends time helping you with your issues while simultaneously being just a nice guy to talk about every day life with. He understanding, caring and knowledgeable in his craft.

Reviewed September 2021

Dr Chavers has been a joy and a delight to talk to, especially after the recent years. He is very open minded and empathetic to your situation and has a nice way of getting to the main issues even if you are unsure yourself!

Reviewed August 2021

James has been a wonderful therapist to work my problems out with. Never have I been respected, listened to or understood before. He asked me what my pronouns were right off the bat because he respects LGBTQIA+. He never judges and only gives insightful responses to my rambling. This is the doctor for you if you really need help and also a friend.

Reviewed July 2021

I’ve only had one session with him so far but I really enjoyed it. It was different because it was a live chat but I enjoyed this feature because it allowed me to kind of think about what to respond without feeling the pressure of an in person appointment. Dr. Chavers seemed to understand my needs during the session and gave me things to think about and work on. I can’t wait to continue to address my needs with him.

Reviewed February 2021

Your questionnaire is effective because I believe that Dr Chavers is a perfect match of a counselor for me. I can tell that he genuinely cares for people and there is no judgement

Reviewed February 2021

Dr. James is incredibly kind, intuitive and compassionate. He has been a real guiding light for me during this time. Thank you Dr. James!

Reviewed February 2021

Dr. Chavers has been an immense help. His sessions are very helpful and knows how to address concerns and stay on topic when I go off on tangents. I feel very comfortable opening up to him about my issues

Reviewed January 2021

Dr. James is a thoughtful and deep listener, with practical advice and genuine care about his patient. He has helped me with anxiety and relationship issues.

Reviewed December 2020

Dr. Chavers is great! He listened intently and offers sounds advice and understanding. I have truly been enjoying our sessions and feel less overwhelmed when they finish.

Reviewed December 2020

I really appreciate that Dr. Chavers is able to see past my queerness and work with me based on the issues I’m dealing with. I have raved about BetterHelp and have told my friends that this is a great site to use to access affordable therapy.

Reviewed November 2020

Very good listener, patient and honest

Reviewed November 2020

How was your experience with James?

Frequently asked questions

Does Dr. James Chavers offer telehealth visits?

Yes. Dr. James Chavers works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.

What language(s) does Dr. James Chavers speak?

Dr. James Chavers speaks English.

How many years of experience does Dr. James Chavers have?

Dr. James Chavers has 9 years of experience.

Where is Dr. James Chavers licensed to practice?

Dr. James Chavers is licensed to practice in California.

Does Dr. James Chavers accept clients outside of the United States?

No, Dr. James Chavers does not accept clients outside of the United States.

Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?

Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."

What treatment approaches does Dr. James Chavers offer?

Dr. James Chavers offers clients Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Somatic Therapy.

How can I communicate with Dr. James Chavers?

Dr. James Chavers can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.

How do I get started with Dr. James Chavers?

Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.

Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.

And recovery is possible.

Messaging
Live Chat
Phone
Video

When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.