Chacko (James) Vadayil Varkey
Relationship-focused psychotherapist blending practical therapies
PACFA Australia
- Experience
- 12 years in practice
- Focus areas
- Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family
- Approaches
- Gottman Method, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Languages
- English, Hindi, Malayalam
About Chacko
Chacko (James) Vadayil Varkey is a PACFA clinical psychotherapist who blends relationship-focused work with practical therapies. He draws on the Gottman Method alongside ACT, attachment-based, client-centred and cognitive behavioural approaches to help people facing stress, anxiety, depression and relationship strain.
Background and approach
James has worked in settings that include theology, criminology, psychology and family law over 12 years. He uses that varied background to understand how legal, spiritual and cultural issues shape how people think and feel.
He speaks English, Hindi and Malayalam and often helps people from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. Sessions are straightforward and conversational.
He helps clients recognise patterns, name emotions and practise new ways of relating. When relationships are strained he focuses on communication, trust and repair work that can stop common negative cycles.
James also brings experience supporting people with trauma and attachment issues, and those dealing with identity concerns, adoption and foster care matters, and complex emotional responses. He adapts methods to each person’s situation rather than using a one-size-fits-all plan.
Practical steps and small goals are a strong feature of his approach. He supports people to try new skills between sessions and reviews what works.
To begin, people complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability. He encourages anyone taking the first step to seek help, recognising that starting therapy often takes courage and thought.
How relationship work and therapy meet online
Gottman-informed approaches focus on communication patterns, emotional connection and practical steps couples or individuals can use to reduce conflict and rebuild trust. This method is useful when relationship arguments repeat or when people want clearer ways to talk and repair.Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings while choosing actions that match their values. It is helpful for anxiety, stress and when someone wants to make meaningful life changes rather than get stuck on worries.
Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships shape current bonds and reactions. It supports people who experience clinginess, avoidance, trust difficulties or strong fear of loss by building new ways of relating and feeling safe with others.
Choosing the right approach is collaborative. The therapist will discuss goals, try methods that fit the client’s needs, and adjust over time based on what helps. Clients and the therapist decide together which techniques to keep using.
Online therapy is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging for flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation, phone sessions can work when bandwidth is limited, live chat suits shorter check-ins, and messaging lets people reflect in writing between meetings. These options let people fit therapy around family, work and other commitments.
Frequently asked questions
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Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
12+ years
Registered with
PACFA
Languages
English, Hindi, Malayalam