- 20 years experience
- Supports trauma recovery
- Works on relationships
About James
James Gilligan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Florida who helps people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, low self-esteem, and relationship or intimacy-related concerns. He also works with issues like eating and sleeping problems, parenting strain, anger, career stress, bipolar disorder, depression, and codependency. He draws on two decades of clinical experience to offer steady support and practical steps forward.
Before private practice, James earned a Master of Social Work from Florida International University in 1998 and became licensed in Florida in 2000. Early in his career he worked in Miami-Dade schools providing individual and group help for children, and later he worked with people experiencing severe mental illness, including bipolar disorder and major depression.
Since 2007 James has worked with active duty military personnel, addressing marital problems, anxiety, PTSD, domestic violence concerns, and related struggles. He has experience supporting people who grew up in dysfunctional family systems and who carry those patterns into adulthood.
James uses a mix of approaches in sessions, including attachment-based work, client-centered methods, cognitive behavioral strategies, dialectical behavior techniques, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). He often combines these tools to match a person's needs and goals and focuses on helping people make real changes in their lives.
Sessions are conducted in English and James works from Florida. He has 20 years of experience as an LCSW and aims to create a straightforward, practical space for people to talk through problems and build coping skills.
How these approaches translate to online work
Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early bonds shape current relationships and emotional responses. Online sessions using this approach help people notice patterns in how they connect and practice different ways of relating. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the person's own goals and pace, with the therapist following the client's lead and offering reflective listening and support. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches concrete skills to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can be practiced between sessions and reviewed together.Choosing the right approach is usually collaborative. The therapist will talk with the client about their needs, try methods that suit those goals, and adjust the plan over time. That way the work stays focused on practical steps that matter to the person rather than on fitting a single model.
Confirm the available session options before booking since specific formats are not listed here. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. It can also let clients use tools like worksheets, skills practice, and EMDR-style protocols during sessions so work continues between meetings.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Credentials
Florida
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does James address in sessions?
He supports people with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem, relationship and intimacy concerns, eating and sleeping problems, parenting strain, anger, career stress, bipolar disorder, depression, codependency, and compassion fatigue.
What is his style of therapy like?
Sessions are practical and person-focused. He uses clear tools and coaching to help people change habits and cope with immediate problems.
How long has he been practicing?
He has about 20 years of clinical experience working in schools, community settings, and with active duty military beginning in 2007.
What credential does he hold and where is he based?
He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, licensed in Florida and practices in Florida.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Are international clients accepted for work?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How does cost and billing work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin therapy with him?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule based on the therapist's availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.