James Fisher, PhD, LP

Practice philosophy: The absolute minimum service I can offer my patients is to provide them a safe, nonjudgmental space to put down everything they are carrying, if only for an hour. Psychotherapy certainly involves more than this, but it is a fundamental requirement for my practice and my engagement with the people I serve

What are you passionate about and why? I am an advocate of meeting individuals where they are to help them use skills to get needs met. I am a proponent of using evidence-based interventions and helping connect patients to resources. I am passionate about taking a whole-person approach to treatment and recovery.

If you weren't a health care provider, what would you be? Full-time social justice advocate... perhaps an English professor, too.

Why did you become a provider? When did you know this was the career for you? I was a teacher and wasn't feeling connected to my profession. Psychology was an opportunity to develop a unique understanding of others. I took an intro Psychology course and was instantly hooked.

What is something you have learned from your patients? People are generally much stronger and more resilient than they realize, and they have a stronger foundation and a better understanding of their problems than they give themselves credit for.

What is one of the challenges of this career you enjoy? And why? It is a challenge to identify and communicate skills that are most conducive to addressing patient difficulties. I enjoy this because it means I am constantly discovering new tools and perspectives.

What is your personal health goal? Long-term, I want a healthy and sustainable balance between nutrition, exercise, and self-care.

What is the best thing you've done for your health or the best health advice you've received? The best advice I received was to know my boundaries personally and professionally and to advocate for them. If I don't actively and intentionally attend to self-care, I'm no good to anyone.

What are you most proud of? My daughter... every day. Nothing else I have ever achieved even comes close to the pride I feel when I spend time with her.

What are a few of your personal achievements? I navigated a career change later in life, having a family and raising a daughter while doing so. I have visited more countries and states in the US than I ever could have dreamed when I was younger.