We were lucky to catch up with James Kelleher recently and have shared our conversation below.

James, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

The biggest risk I ever took was stepping out of my therapy office and onto national TV. For 20 years, I was used to private, confidential work with clients. Then suddenly, I was on 90 Day Fiancé with cameras and millions of people watching. It was terrifying. But that experience reminded me of the lessons I’ve always taught others-the importance of authenticity, gratitude, and genuine connections. Being fully yourself, even in a vulnerable space, can create opportunities you never imagined. That risk opened doors to social media, podcasting, and reaching people I’d never have met if I stayed in my comfort zone.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m James P. Kelleher, a Licensed Professional Counselor and life coach with more than 20 years of experience. I began my career in private practice, helping individuals and couples work through anxiety, trauma, and relationship challenges. Over time, I realized that healing isn’t limited to therapy rooms-
it also comes from the conversations and stories we share with each other.

That belief led me to step outside of my comfort zone and onto new platforms. Many people were first introduced to me through 90 Day Fiancé: The Last Resort and Between the Sheets, where I brought a therapist’s perspective to the reality TV world. More recently, I’ve expanded my reach through my podcast Living Life with James and social media, where I create content and conversations about mental health, resilience, and purpose.

What sets me apart is the ability to bridge clinical expertise with real, everyday life. I offer more than traditional therapy. I provide tools, insights, and conversations that are practical, relatable, and approachable. Whether through one-on-one coaching, my podcast, or my online presence, my goal is always the same: to help people feel seen, supported, and equipped to live more fully.

What I’m most proud of is using my story and platform to normalize mental health. I want people to know therapy and self-work aren’t signs of weakness…they’re acts of courage. My brand is about authenticity, connection, and giving people tools to heal and grow wherever they are.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Resilience, for me, goes back to growing up as a gay man and learning how to navigate bullying, judgment, and the feeling of being different. Those experiences shaped me early on. Lord knows, they could have made me shrink, but instead, they taught me how to keep showing up as myself even when it wasn’t easy.

Fast forward to today, being on 90 Day Fiancé opened me up to a whole new level of public criticism. Social media can be brutal, and some fans and trolls can be mean-spirited, judgmental, and harsh. At first, it stung but I realized I had two choices: let it silence me, or use it as fuel to stand even stronger in who I am.

Resilience, for me, has been about not letting other people’s opinions define my worth. It’s choosing authenticity over approval, and turning the noise of criticism into a reminder of why I do this work to give people permission to be themselves, no matter who’s watching.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Beyond formal training, what’s helped me most is being intuitive and empathetic. The ability to tune into people, really listen, and pick up on what isn’t said is just as important as the skills you learn in school.

Creating a space where people feel seen, heard, and not judged is what makes healing possible. At the end of the day, success in this field comes from showing up authentically and helping people feel safe enough to be their full selves.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.jamespkelleher.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/james_p_kelleher?igsh=bmo0bjM5Ynk1Y2xl&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-p-kelleher-lpc?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jamespkelleher?si=J9usBTSLdDX5PgTm