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Chacko (James) Vadayil Varkey

Counsellor profile

Chacko (James) Vadayil Varkey, PACFA

Based in Australia · 12 years of experience

Counselling for relationships, trauma and family matters

Continue with Chacko

At a glance

Registration
PACFA, Australia (23563)
Qualifications
PACFA
Experience
12 years
Languages
English, Hindi, Malayalam
Based in
Australia

Details come from information Chacko supplied to BetterHelp.

  • Relationship and family issues
  • Trauma and attachment work
  • ACT CBT DBT approaches

About Chacko

PACFA clinical psychotherapist and accredited family dispute resolution practitioner with 12 years of experience, Chacko (James) Vadayil Varkey works in Australia and offers counselling in English, Hindi and Malayalam.

James works with stress, anxiety, relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, and depression. He also supports people with abandonment and attachment issues, adoption and foster care matters, personality-related difficulties, body image and communication problems. He describes his practice as therapeutically and spiritually integrative and draws on knowledge from theology, criminology, psychology and family law.

His approach combines Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centred methods, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. Sessions focus on what is happening now, practical skills and clearer communication between people. He aims to help clients identify patterns, manage strong emotions and take small steps that fit their life.

James has worked with a wide range of presenting issues including complex trauma, PTSD, mood difficulties and identity concerns. He is also an accredited family dispute resolution practitioner with the Attorney General's Office and has experience offering mediation for separating and post-separation family arrangements.

People can expect counselling that engages with cultural, religious and spiritual perspectives when relevant. He supports parents and individuals dealing with blended family dynamics and adoption-related questions, and offers work that pays attention to attachment and relational patterns.

How his approaches translate to online counselling

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thinking and commit to values-based actions. It focuses on practical choices and can assist with anxiety, avoidance and low mood. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationship patterns affect current relationships and helps people change interaction styles and build safer connections. Client-Centred Therapy prioritises the person’s own experience and uses reflective listening to help people clarify feelings and make decisions.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences and what feels useful, then suggest one or more methods. This is a collaborative process and approaches can be adjusted over time based on progress and feedback.

Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current session options before booking. Online counselling can make it easier to fit sessions around work, travel or family commitments, and it can allow shorter check-ins when needed or sessions without video if that suits the person better. Appropriately qualified therapists can use these formats to maintain continuity of care and to support ongoing skill practice between sessions.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepression

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHearing impairedHIV / AIDSHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyGottman MethodImago Relationship TherapyJungian TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

12+ years

Listed in

Australia

Languages

English, Hindi, Malayalam

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does he help with?

He works with stress, anxiety, relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, and depression, plus related issues such as abandonment, attachment and adoption matters.

What therapeutic approaches does he use?

He uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy depending on client needs.

How much clinical experience does he have?

He has 12 years of professional work experience in psychotherapy and counselling.

What are his credentials and where is he based?

He is credentialed with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and practises in Australia.

Which languages can sessions be conducted in?

Sessions are offered in English, Hindi and Malayalam.

Can international clients work with him?

International clients are not currently accepted.

How are sessions paid for and what do they cost?

Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.

How do I begin counselling with him?

Select the See online counselling options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.

Checking a registration

Professional bodies keep public registers. If Chacko lists a membership, you can look it up on that body's own website:

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