Stronger Relationships, Greater Wellbeing, and a Life That Feels Genuinely Satisfying
Individual & Couples Therapy | Beverly Hills & Telehealth
Sometimes the reason for seeking therapy is clear. You and your partner keep having the same arguments, an experience or relationship from your past still affects you, a significant decision weighs on you, or stress and competing demands are taking a toll.
Other times, things may look good from the outside, yet life doesn’t feel as satisfying or meaningful as you expected.
For over 16 years, I’ve worked with individuals and couples to understand what’s happening beneath the surface, recognize patterns that keep repeating, and make meaningful changes.
I believe therapy should do more than help you manage difficulties. It should help you build stronger relationships, understand yourself more fully, and create a life that feels genuinely worthwhile.
Individual Therapy
You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy.
Perhaps you’re navigating a transition, managing competing pressures, finding yourself caught in familiar patterns, or questioning why certain aspects of your life aren’t as fulfilling as you’d hoped.
Our work focuses on understanding the experiences, beliefs, and patterns that shape how you think, feel, relate, and make decisions. From there, we can explore what needs to change and how to move forward with greater clarity and intention.
Couples Therapy
Even strong relationships can become caught in cycles of conflict, distance, resentment, or disconnection.
Often, the arguments themselves are only part of the problem. Understanding the dynamics beneath them can reveal why the same difficulties keep resurfacing, even when both people want things to improve.
I help couples examine those patterns, communicate more effectively, rebuild connection, and develop healthier ways of relating to one another.
The goal isn’t simply to resolve the next disagreement, but to strengthen the relationship itself.
Jewish Clients
I work with people of all backgrounds and have particular experience with Jewish individuals and couples.
For many, faith, family, tradition, and community are central to their identity, values, relationships, and understanding of the world.
Working with a psychologist who understands that context can be especially meaningful, whether Jewish life is directly related to the concerns bringing you to therapy or simply an important part of who you are.
My Approach
My style is warm, engaged, and direct.
I listen carefully, but I also ask difficult questions, challenge assumptions, and offer perspectives that may not always be comfortable to hear.
I draw on psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral approaches, couples therapy, and research on happiness and wellbeing. Rather than applying a single method to everyone, I consider what will be most useful for the individual or couple I’m working with.
Much of psychology understandably focuses on what causes distress. An equally important question in my work is: What helps people live well?
This interest has shaped my approach to therapy. Alongside understanding the experiences and patterns that create difficulties, I’m interested in what allows people to develop stronger relationships, greater purpose, and more satisfying lives.
About Me
James R. Harris, PsyD
Clinical Psychologist
I’m a clinical psychologist with over 16 years of private practice experience, extensive training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and couples therapy, and a longstanding professional interest in the psychology of happiness.
Alongside my clinical work, I’ve written and spoken about the applications of happiness research to psychological treatment.
I bring that perspective to my work with individuals and couples, helping people understand not only what may be holding them back, but what can help them move forward.
Finding the right psychologist is an important decision.
I offer a complimentary 15-minute initial consultation to discuss what you’re looking for, explore how I might help, and see whether we’re a good fit.