Meet Dr. James Feinberg

Nobody’s got all the answers to parenting. I’m here to help you discover and build a new foundation.

PCIT Therapist & Child Psychologist in St. Louis, MO

Are the growing pains supposed to be this hard?

You want to provide every opportunity for your son to succeed, but right now it feels like you don’t know how. He’s acting withdrawn and angry, and it’s hard to connect with him without feeling like a critical, hard-to-please parent. But you know something has to change. This is where I can help.

I’m Dr. James Feinberg, a dedicated child and adolescent clinical psychologist. 

I provide a down-to-earth, comfortable therapy experience because I believe in meeting your son where he is and taking the time to help him thrive. 

There's no one-size-fits-all approach here — I focus on your son's unique needs and specific circumstances. This means going beyond just teaching "skills" or "tools" for a temporary fix. Instead, it's about diving deep into understanding who your son is, what he's going through, and what he truly needs. 

I believe in setting realistic expectations about what a thorough evaluation and treatment process entails. I’m honest and direct because I know that to achieve our goals we have to see everything clearly. These types of challenges your son is facing require compassion and flexibility for the best long-term and beneficial outcomes, so it’s important to know that the change you’re seeking doesn’t happen overnight. I’ll be there for both you and your son every step of the way.

My Process

First, we identify the problem, then we treat it. 

The process starts with you, the parent, reaching out via email to request an evaluation. I usually respond within a few hours to learn more about what’s happening with your son and what brought you here. Once we exchange information and it feels like we’re a good fit, we’ll schedule time for a 10-15-minute phone call. After our phone call, if we decide that what I offer is the right match for your son, we’ll move forward with the six-session evaluation.

The psychological evaluation is a thorough, detailed assessment that allows me to understand what’s going on and the best way forward for treatment for your son. The process includes 6 weekly in-person meetings each lasting 45 minutes. The sixth and final interview is with parents only to discuss my findings and the root causes of your son’s behaviors and challenges. This is your opportunity to ask questions and discuss further treatment options, either with me or other specialists.

Treatment comes next, and if we’re still aligned post-evaluation, I’ll start therapy with your son weekly. Our work together can span from 6 months to 1 to 2 years, depending on the initial concerns, severity of problems, and how long the problems have been occurring.

Typically I work with clients until their problems are significantly better. All individual sessions, as well as meetings with parents, occur face-to-face.

I’ll connect with you every 3 months to review your son’s progress in treatment. This feedback occurs in a separate meeting from your son’s regular appointments. Of course, you’re always welcome to reach out to me via email if you have specific questions or concerns.

I protect your son’s time with me as it builds trust and allows treatment to be focused on them without disrupting the process. If you are struggling as parents and I’m treating your son, we can discuss your desire and need for referrals or resources for parenting support.

What your son will feel…

  • Respected

  • Listened to and validated

  • Appreciated

  • Important and cared for

  • Seen for their unique value

  • Supported in finding their way

What your son will learn…

  • To believe in their own value 

  • What they actually want out of life

  • How to engage with their peers

  • Ways to connect with others and feel accepted

  • What they can do to be included

  • How to show and gain respect in relationships

It will take time to get to a better place, but we can get there.

Education

    • Georgia State University Ph.D. in Child and Family Clinical Psychology 1983-1989

    • University of New Mexico Children's Psychiatric Hospital & Programs for Children
      Child Clinical Psychology Internship 1987-1988

    • Boston University M.A. in Psychology 1979-1981

    • Boston University B.A. in Psychology 1975-1979

    • American Association of Marriage & Family Therapy - Clinical Fellow

    • National Register of Health Service Psychologists

    • American Psychological Association

Reach out today.

I’m dedicated to my work and deeply motivated to help you and your son. I am here to make a positive, lasting impact on your son and your family. I can’t wait to connect and see if we are a good fit.