I am James Bernard Ma’at-Kynes, an African American ordained Methodist minister (M.Div.), an ACPE Psychotherapist, and a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) in private practice. I have been in practice since 1992.  

What I offer is myself.  I provide psychotherapy for individuals, couples, families, groups and workplace organizations, by creating a safe place for an open and transformative conversation, in hope that a process for healing and growth can be experienced.  I also provide my services remotely (Zoom and/or FaceTime) as well as in-person. I provide these services regardless of one’s ethnicity, religion, gender, race, or sexual orientation. 

• 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 be affected by the partner’s growth. If at any time the other spouse/partner wishes to enter and/or return to the process, the three of us will discuss the possibilities.

• 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 provide consultative group sessions for churches and other organizations.

I do this by conducting forty-five (45) minute sessions.  Sessions are usually 45-50 minutes with individuals and couples. Family sessions are a full 60 minutes. Groups are 75-80 minutes.

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 The Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta GA. I do not impose my theological views on you; rather, I use biblical text/narratives as metaphors to provide insight regarding our human limitations and possibilities.

• I have advanced level post-graduate doctoral training in Psychoanalytic psychotherapy. These studies enhance my understanding of our human development and our human complexities as emotional, spiritual, physical, and relational beings.

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, Depression, Divorce/Recovery, Faith/Spirituality Issues, Grief/Loss, 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.

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.