James Baker Therapy

04/05/2026

What Pruning Season Can Teach You About Letting Go

If you've driven past the vineyards along Highway 12 or out toward Dry Creek in the last few weeks, you've seen it. Row after row of vines cut way back, looking almost severe against the late winter sky. To someone who doesn't know better, it looks like damage. But any grower around here will tell y...

03/31/2026

Had a really enjoyable conversation with Antoine Valentone for his iBme uBu channel recently. We got into the work I do with men and couples, how The Integrity Reset came together, and some of the bigger questions underneath all of it. Antoine asks good, thoughtful questions. Link below if you want to check it out.

James Baker is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Psychotherapist (LMFT) and founder of JamesBaker Psychotherapy with 20 years of clinical experience....

02/13/2026

New project I'm excited to share. The Integrity Reset is a small-group intensive for men navigating the aftermath of broken trust in a relationship. This is separate from my therapy practice. It's a time-structured, facilitated 12-week process built around accountability, honesty, and doing the work out loud with other men. If you know someone who might need this, I'd appreciate you passing it along. theintegrityreset.com

02/19/2023

https://youtu.be/XkxEmuTQ2VY

Check out this great long form interview with masters of couples therapy Drs. John and Julie Gottman. Ali Abdaal offers an accessible peek into the Gottman's scientifically informed approach to working with couples.

Sponsored by Huel - go to https://www.huel.com/deepdive and with your first order you’ll get a free t-shirt and shaker.Sponsored by Trading212 - download Tra...

02/06/2023

How to stop being a doormat without becoming resentful and toxic. It CAN be done! Focus on taking three simple but powerful steps to move from powerlessness to empowered. 💪

3 steps to create healthy boundaries with your family, friends and partners. How to stop being a doormat without becoming a resentful and toxic. It CAN be do...

08/14/2019

Stressed out? 🥵

Who isn't these days? Most of us could use a simple way to reduce stress during our busy day. Here’s a method that’s easy to learn and can fit into your hectic schedule.

Deep breathing (diaphragmatic breathing) helps reduce adrenaline and cortisol, your body’s stress hormones, while balancing out your nervous system. Deep breathing has been shown to help lower blood pressure, improve mental focus and release serotonin to improve mood. It may also improve your sleep quality.

Ready to reduce stress? Follow these simple steps:

1) Sit in a comfortable position with your hand on your belly so you can feel your diaphragm as you breathe.

2) Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose.

3) Hold the breath for a couple of seconds.

4) Slowly release the breath through your mouth.

5) Repeat the above steps for up to five minutes, but even one minute of deep breathing can be helpful.

Deep breathing is a tool I use throughout the day to help myself feel calmer and more grounded. I hope you’ll give deep breathing a try next time you need a little stress reduction too! ☺️

www.bakertherapy.com

05/08/2017

Changing the narrative of veterans. We are familiar with the stereotype of the traumatized soldier, but what if that's only part of a more complex story? Here's an interesting article about emerging recognition of post-traumatic growth.

We're well acquainted with the debilitating effects of PTSD; but studies of military vets suggest that surviving trauma can simultaneously lead to positive growth.

11/11/2016

There are actions we can take to support ourselves through times of uncertainty.

Whether you're dealing with cancer or otherwise, uncertainty is a certainty in life. Here are five ways to cope with ambiguity in times of stress and worry.

09/23/2016

Sometimes parents depend on their children rather than another adult for emotional support. This can lead to relational problems, difficulty setting appropriate boundaries, and feelings of guilt as he or she transitions into adulthood.

Emotional (or covert) in**st occurs when a parent leans on their child for emotional support instead of turning to other adults. The effects can be devastating.

09/20/2016

Dr. Gottman's extensive research on married couples has revealed the secrets to a happy relationship.