Meet Dr. Chesna James

Dr. James is a licensed professional counselor and has been in practice since 1982 when she received her license as a psychologist in Texas. The daughter of a farmer and cattleman, she was raised in a small farming community where she learned to value nature, community, and perseverance. 

After receiving her degree in education and theatre from a small college in Texas, she began her graduate degree at Texas Tech University. It was there that she began teaching Speech Communication classes at the college level. She studied organizational communication and began to gain interest in consulting with organizations as well as developing her counseling skills. 

Upon getting her doctorate, Dr. James worked as a mental health counselor for both inpatient and outpatient facilities and worked with people with a wide scope of diagnoses. She went on to become Director of Psychological Services of an alcohol and drug rehabilitation inpatient treatment center and continued to widen her scope in counseling services. Serving as an administrator in this position, she was exposed to corporate and management issues and provided team building to not only her team, but also for other corporations in the area. 

Upon moving to South Carolina, Dr. James continued to serve her new community when she became a part-time professor at Furman University and adjunct instructor at Greenville Technical College. She taught Public Speaking and Business and Organizational Communication to aspiring professionals. 

She also worked at Canterbury Counseling Center as a counselor for 8 years where she worked mainly with adult professional men and women and college students. In her practice she provides therapy for clients with various mental health issues including: depression, anxiety, life transition issues, communication skills, workplace issues, confidence building, relationship struggles, and others. 

She also provides team building sessions for groups in businesses, churches, and schools. Dr. James uses a variety of modalities in her practice including cognitive behavioral therapy, supportive therapy, behavioral modification therapy, directive therapy, equine assisted therapy, and others.