Dr. Gail James - Portrait of a Survivor
Life is not always kind. Some of us get slapped to the ground every time we try to get up. Some of us get tired of being knocked down time after time and just decide to throw in the towel, settle for the scraps and pieces life has to offer us. Some of us, like Dr. Gail James never throws in the towel, never gives up. They fight with all their might, all their God-given strength and struggle to build a better life for themselves and for those they love.
“My story becomes a guiding light for those who’ve endured childhood abuse,” Dr. James told the St. Croix Times.
In her recently released book, “From the Pit to the Palace: My Rise from Pain to Purpose,” which has soared to the #1 spot of Amazon’s Best Sellers list in the Christian Counseling category, Dr. James shares a poignant journey from despair to purpose, emphasizing the power of courage. This compelling book relates a heartfelt story of triumph over trauma and the ugliness of childhood sexual abuse. It offers invaluable lessons from the perspective of a survivor.
“It’s a must read for anyone seeking to conquer challenges, cultivate objective viewpoints, and move forward amidst the echoes of pain and trauma,” states her Publisher Telishia Berry.
Dr. James has recently been crowned Mrs. International Woman of Achievement, representing the U.S. Virgin Islands. Women from around the world competed for the prestigious title.
The mission of the Woman of Achievement organization is to recognize and develop women leaders in their prospective communities.
“We acknowledge the beauty in service, self-development and education among today’s modern woman through leadership events and pageantry to award women for their life’s work,” states Marlena Martin, CEO of Woman of Achievement.
Dr. James has a Ph.D. in Christian Counseling and is a licensed Clinical Christian Therapist based in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She is a motivational speaker and CEO of the Xtraordinary Services 4 Xtraordinary People Agency. She specializes in trauma, mental health, substance abuse, and family therapy.
She is the founder of Sanctuary of Change, a nonprofit organization, whose mission is to aid abuse victims. She offers free counseling to women who are trying to get out of abusive relationships by helping them with housing and legal advice from an attorney who is onboard. She has offices on St. Croix in Princess Plaza and collaborates with the Women’s Coalition of St. Croix and the Family Resource Center on St. Thomas.
Courageous Woman magazine named Dr. James one of the 21 Women to Watch from the U.S. Virgin Islands. She recently received a Human Services grant for Crisis Intervention in High School.
“I set out on my own path. My Mom kept saying I would never be anything. And I wanted to overcome that. I had my own apartment when I was fourteen. Because I reported my brother who molested me,” Dr. James told the St. Croix Times when queried about what drove her to take such an independent course. “When my daughter was born with cerebral palsy, I wanted to make sure she had the best possible life. They said she wouldn’t live past one year old.”
It was easy to see the wrenching motivations that drove this remarkable woman to eventually come to the aid of others who had fallen into similar circumstances.
“I had my own business by the time I was twenty-four. I did group homes for the developmentally disabled, just like my daughter,” she recalled. “I did that for many years. And then I went into home health care, assisted living facilities, and mental health practices. And I continue to do all of those to this day. I have offices on St. Croix and St. Thomas.”
Indeed, Dr. Gail James is a stunning example of local resilience and achievement. Her story is an inspiration to all who have had the misfortune of having life beat them down. In the face of great challenges, she blazes a path toward hope, healing, and the potential for extraordinary accomplishments.
