Hi! I’m James Kelly. I am an active person with a love of nature and the outdoors, my dog, travel, and exploration. As a trans person (he/him) who transitioned later in life, I appreciate the unique opportunities these experiences have provided. I have a long history of social activism and community engagement, which has enriched my life and work. I bring over 20 years of experience to my practice from both front line and leadership capacities. I spent the first decade of my career working with individuals struggling with insecure housing, mental health, trauma, addiction, and other intersecting points of oppression.
For the past 10 years I have held the title of Executive Director at Peak House, a provincial youth drug and alcohol treatment centre located in Vancouver, BC, Canada. This role has allowed me to weave together my counseling and leadership practice. In my executive role I have the privilege of supporting youth, families, teams and professionals. I have worked alongside several organizations and businesses and helped them facilitate organizational change, policy development, and team facilitation to actualize their leadership goals. At the core of my practice is my belief that clients are the experts of their own lives. My work is collaborative and relational, meaning we work together to actualize the change you wish to create. I believe belonging and connection matter, and that oppression and systemic injustice are often at the root of our struggles. Everyone deserves access to the kind of support that helps foster resiliency and worth. I bring practical, real world knowledge, alongside theoretical frameworks that are rooted in feminist, anti oppressive, and social justice principles. I am here to walk alongside clients in their journey, offer support, encouragement, and help you to find pathways forward that ease suffering, and help to make shifts towards radical change.
I am located in Vancouver, BC, Canada on the unceded traditional and ancestral lands of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.