James Wogan, LCSW, developed a distinct therapeutic approach influenced by his experience living and working in Tokyo, Japan. As a child and family therapist there, he served international families while immersing himself in Eastern philosophies that emphasize mindfulness, balance, and interconnectedness. This exposure shaped his understanding of mental health as not just behavior-focused but also deeply rooted in “seeing” and “being” before “doing”57. The integration of these Eastern perspectives into his practice allowed him to address emotional well-being holistically, blending traditional Western cognitive approaches with a focus on presence and harmony5.
Recently, Wogan has collaborated closely with Native American elders and healers, further enriching his therapeutic framework. This partnership introduced him to Native traditions that emphasize spiritual connection and community healing. Always growing and learning, Wogan has a humble understanding and respect for teachings; (he describes himself as a novice when it comes to Native American traditional healing practices).
By integrating Indigenous wellness practices, Eastern interpretations of life, neuroscience, and the fundamentals of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which he studied at UC Berkeley, Wogan offers a unique, multicultural approach to psychotherapy. His work highlights the parallels between Native American practices and Eastern philosophies, such as a shared focus on the interconnectedness between suffering and one’s ability to be fully healthy.
The synthesis of Eastern, Native American, and CBT frameworks fosters transformational healing in Wogan’s psychotherapy practice. By weaving together multi-cultural worldviews, he offers clients a comprehensive path to mental wellness that bridges cultural divides.
His approach promotes emotional and spiritual growth while addressing individual behavioral health conditions that are sometimes the result of trauma and intense experiences that carved neuro pathways in earlier in life. Integration in therapy often includes awareness of the myriad ways people have learned to distract and self medicate in a rapidly changing technological world in which social justice is not the norm.
Thought partnership in therapy and strengthen-based solutions almost always lead to lasting positive change.
Citations:
- https://www.oaklandcounselors.com/businesses/james-wogan-oakland-counselors/
- https://jameswogan.com
- https://wtcongregationalchurch.squarespace.com/s/3491598-2.pdf
- https://jameswogan.com/about/
- https://jameswogan.com/tag/therapy/
- https://jameswogan.com/author/jameswogan/
- https://casmwc.sched.com/jwogan
- https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jameswoganlcsw_homelessness-fosteryouth-homeless-activity-7189285332897452032-l_xY
James Wogan LCSW 