Business Details
26 Years
experience
Therapy Services in Newport Beach, CA
Better Relationships is a private psychotherapy practice founded by James Swaniger, a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with over two decades of experience. Our approach combines supportive therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy to address relationship challenges, emotional pain, and personal growth. We specialize in helping men achieve meaningful relationships through individual counseling, marriage therapy, and grief counseling. With a background in mechanical engineering and clinical psychology, our founder brings unique insights into balancing professional and personal fulfillment.We focus on helping clients understand their emotional patterns, modify self-defeating behaviors, and develop healthier relationship dynamics. Our practice serves clients from Southern California communities, offering both in-person and remote consultation options. We emphasize client autonomy, providing tools for self-improvement while maintaining strict confidentiality and ethical standards.
Services
Individual Counseling
Marriage Counseling
Couples Therapy
Grief Counseling
Relationship Therapy
Details
- Year established: 2000
Highlights and features
- 20+ years of clinical experience since 2000
- Combines engineering background with therapeutic expertise
- Specializes in male relationship challenges
- Offers evidence-based therapeutic approaches
- Author of relationship-focused self-help resources
Associations and certifications
- Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) CA License MFC 36314
Services
Individual Counseling
Individual counseling helps clients address self-defeating behaviors and emotional challenges through evidence-based therapeutic approaches. Our practice specializes in cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and hypnosis to modify harmful patterns. Clients learn to identify emotional triggers, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and achieve personal growth while maintaining their unique identity within relationships.
Marriage Counseling
Marriage counseling focuses on resolving relationship conflicts by examining childhood relationship patterns that affect adult dynamics. We help couples understand emotional triggers, improve communication, and rebuild intimacy. Our approach addresses both individual and shared challenges while maintaining each partner's sense of self within the relationship framework.
Grief Counseling
Grief counseling provides structured support for processing loss and developing meaningful life after bereavement. Our approach combines emotional support with practical coping strategies to navigate the grieving process. We help clients understand normal grief responses, manage physical symptoms, and rebuild their identity while maintaining connection to their lost loved one.
People
James Swaniger
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
James Swaniger is a licensed psychotherapist with over 20 years of clinical experience in Orange County. A former mechanical engineer, he brings unique perspective to relationship therapy. He specializes in helping men develop meaningful relationships through evidence-based therapeutic approaches.
Questions
Is therapy confidential?
Therapy maintains confidentiality except in cases of self-harm, harm to others, or child/elder abuse as required by law.
What therapeutic approaches are used?
We combine supportive therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy tailored to individual client needs.
How long does therapy typically last?
Duration varies based on client goals, with short-term therapy typically lasting 6-12 sessions and long-term therapy extending to months or years.
Do you offer emergency services?
We provide urgent contact options but don't offer 24/7 emergency services or crisis intervention.
Can therapy replace medication?
While therapy addresses psychological aspects, we may recommend medication evaluation for biological components of mental health issues.
What are your qualifications?
We are a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) with California License MFC 36314 and 20+ years of clinical experience.
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