James M. Sclater, PhD, LMHC
James M. Sclater, PhD, LMHC, is a licensed mental health counselor, counselor educator, and behavioral health and addiction treatment professional with more than 13 years of experience working with individuals and families affected by substance use, trauma, grief, relationship challenges, and major life transitions.
Dr. Sclater earned his PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Capella University, graduating with a 4.0 GPA, after completing a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. His experience spans addiction treatment, residential care, private practice, community mental health, adolescent treatment, and family services.
As Clinical Director at Tikvah Lake Recovery and Park Manor Recovery, Dr. Sclater helps oversee clinical programming, treatment planning, clinical standards, and collaboration across the treatment team. His connection to the organization is rooted in direct clinical work, having previously provided individual and family counseling, group therapy, treatment planning, and day-to-day clinical support within the programs.
Dr. Sclater believes effective treatment begins with understanding the whole person rather than simply managing symptoms or diagnoses. His approach draws from evidence-based and person-centered frameworks, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Reality Therapy, solution-focused therapy, DBT-informed interventions, and existential perspectives.
He also emphasizes the importance of family systems, strong clinical collaboration, and preparing clients for life beyond residential treatment. His philosophy is grounded in the belief that meaningful recovery is not only about reducing symptoms or stopping harmful behaviors, but helping people better understand themselves and build lives they genuinely want to participate in.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Sclater is an educator and public speaker on addiction, trauma, mental health, and personal development. He is also the creator and host of The Thoughtful Therapist, a psychology and philosophy podcast exploring human behavior, identity, responsibility, and meaning.