I am James Bernard Kynes, Sr., an African American ACPE Psychotherapist and Convener, an ordained minister (M.Div.) and a state licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in private practice.  I am also a Clinical Member and an Approved Supervisor with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and I have been in practice since 1992.  

What I offer is myself.  As human beings, my experiences inform me that we seem to seek an understanding of and a sense of relief from our emotional, social, spiritual, and relationship pangs surrounding our daily ambiguities and interpersonal contradictions. I provide psychotherapy for individuals, couples, families, groups and workplace organizations, by creating a safe place for open conversation and dialogue regarding one’s personal and professional life complexities, in hope that a process for healing and growth from these complexities can be experienced.  I also provide my services remotely when necessary via Zoom and/or FaceTime as well as in-person sessions. I provide these services regardless of one’s ethnicity, religion, gender, race, or sexual orientation.  I adhere to a strict Code of Ethics established by my licensure and ordination.

• I work with individuals by providing a space for critical self-reflection on and the discovery of resolutions for your presenting concerns.  My intent is to listen with an objective/subjective non-anxious presence while developing an interactive therapeutic relationship with you.

• I work with adolescence within the family context. I believe that it is essential for the parent(s) to have sessions separate from and independent of their child in order to experience the therapeutic process in relationship with me. I hold sessions with both the child and the parent together for enhancing the overall communication. 

• I work with couples and the optimal relationship is for both persons to participate.  My experience informs me that this is not always a realistic expectation.  I will work with one spouse if the other spouse ends prematurely.  However, a risk involved in this arrangement is that, as the member who remains in the process grows, heals and change, the absent spouse will react and begin to change, too.  These changes and reactions will feel both positive and negative, and the only guarantee is risk.  If at any time the other spouse/partner wishes to enter and/or return to the process, the three of us will need to discuss the strengths and the limitations of such an arrangement.

• I work with families—nuclear and stepfamilies by conducting a consultation with the family as a whole unit to determine what are the presenting concerns.  After several sessions, we will identify the specific issues and develop a Treatment Plan.

• I work with small groups. I conduct therapy groups with no more than 8 members.  These groups are all women, all men and men and women mixed group.  I also couple’s group work.  I conduct a more consultative group for churches and other organizations.  

I do this by conducting forty-five (45) minute sessions.  I offer longer-term as well as short-term counseling/consultation.  I ask that you trust yourself in knowing when you are ready to stop.  You are always welcome to resume in the future at any time. I believe that for growing and healing from deep-seated wounds to occur, a longer-term therapeutic relationship works best.  In that, I have no agenda for you and it is your responsibility to bring to the session what you wish to reflect on and talk about in our conversation.  

What Guides My Counseling is an integration of my theological education and my advanced level of training in the social sciences of human development.

• I have a Master of Divinity from an accredited theological seminary—The Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta GA.  I do not impose my religious or theological views on you; rather, I do use biblical narratives as metaphors to provide insight regarding your relational healing and growth.

• I have advanced level/post-graduate doctorial training in Psychoanalytic psychotherapy, primarily using Object Relations and Family Systems Theories as my clinical framework.  These theories enhance my understanding of our human development and our human complexities—emotional, intellectual, spiritual and physical. 

I Do Not practice beyond the scope of my training, and I will provide you with an appropriate referral if necessary.  

• I am not a Clinical Psychologist and do not write psychological evaluations.

• I am not a Forensic Psychologist and do not take sides in a case of divorce and/or child custody.  

• I am not a Psychiatrist and do not prescribe medications.

• I do not provide mediation services.

• I do not write personal letters of recommendation.

Areas for Specific Attention:

Abuse/Trauma Affairs Anxiety Adoptions Bi-Polar (with medication only) Depression Divorce/Recovery Faith/Spirituality Issues Grief/Loss Interpersonal Relationships Marriage Separation Sexual Abuse/Identity/Intimacy Self-Esteem/Worth Stress Reduction

CONFIDENTIALITY:  HIPAA Healthcare Regulations require that I honor your confidentiality in all contexts, personal and process notes/records.  A release of information in any format will require a signed Release of Information statement from you.  CYBERSPACE: I use the Internet (email) only for scheduling appointments and do NOT discuss clinical information through this means.

Fees: Discussed during phone consultation.                    

How to contact me.  My 24-hour confidential office voicemail number is 404-378-2232.  My emergency contact number is 404-408-6906.  You may reach me by email as well (see front page). If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please report to your nearest hospital emergency room or call 911.

Appointment Cancellation/Missed Appointment Policy

If you are unable to keep your appointment for any reason, thank you for calling or emailing me 24 to 48 hours prior to your appointment time.