James Gilligan, LCSW

Therapist in Florida

James Gilligan is a licensed clinical social worker with 20 years of experience based in Florida.

Licensed inFlorida
LicenseSW6196
NPI 1346446002
Experience20+ years
LanguagesEnglish

Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check any license with the state board and any NPI with the national registry.

About James

James Gilligan is a licensed clinical social worker with 20 years of experience based in Florida. He helps people manage anxiety, stress, depression, addiction, trauma, grief, and anger. He also supports concerns around self-esteem, intimacy, parenting challenges, eating and sleeping issues, and career stress.

James uses a practical, down-to-earth style in sessions. He listens, helps people name what matters most, and works with them to build steps they can try between meetings.

Background and approach

His approach is collaborative and focused on real-life changes rather than long lectures. He began his career after earning a Master of Social Work from Florida International University in 1998 and obtained his Florida LCSW in 2000. Early work included school-based counseling in Miami-Dade County where he provided individual and group support to children.

Later he worked with people experiencing serious mental illness, including bipolar disorder and major depression, and shifted in 2007 to support active duty military. In that role he addressed anxiety, PTSD symptoms, marital concerns, domestic violence issues, and related stresses that affect daily life. James draws on several therapeutic approaches, including Attachment-based therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and EMDR.

He combines those methods to match each person’s needs and to help them make practical, sustainable changes.

Credentials

LCSW (Florida): License SW6196 · expires March 2027
NPI: 1346446002 · national provider identifier

Both are public records. A state board register will confirm a license and its standing, and the national registry will confirm an NPI. This directory copies what the therapist lists and checks neither.

Focus areas and approaches

Everything James lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.

Stress, Anxiety
Addictions
Trauma and abuse
Grief
Self esteem
Relationship issues
Family conflicts
Intimacy-related issues
Eating disorders
Sleeping disorders
Parenting issues
Anger management
Career difficulties
Bipolar disorder
Depression
Coping with life changes
Coaching
Compassion fatigue
Abandonment
Attachment issues
Codependency
Communication problems
Veteran and Armed Forces Issues

Approaches James names

Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.

Online support

Attachment and evidence-based approaches online

James uses Attachment-based therapy to help people understand how early relationships affect current bonds and reactions. That approach can be useful when someone struggles with trust, abandonment concerns, or recurring patterns in close relationships. He also uses Client-Centered Therapy, which focuses on listening, empathy, and building a respectful therapeutic relationship to support personal growth and clearer decision-making. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is another common tool he uses to identify unhelpful thoughts and test small behavior changes that reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Selecting the right approach is a team effort. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals and preferences and suggest methods that fit those needs. Over time, they may try one approach or combine techniques to see what produces steady progress.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy more flexible. Video lets people use visual cues and a fuller conversation. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a quieter check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging provide shorter, on-the-go support that can fit around work or family schedules.

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Frequently asked

What concerns does this therapist address?

He supports people with anxiety, stress, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, bipolar disorder, anger, and related life changes.

How would you describe his therapeutic style?

Sessions are collaborative and practical. He listens, helps set clear goals, and works on steps clients can use between meetings.

What background does he bring to therapy?

He has 20 years of experience, began in school-based work, has treated serious mental illness, and has worked with active duty military since 2007.

What are his credentials and where is he located?

He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, licensed in Florida and practices from Florida.

Which languages are supported in sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available?

He provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging as ways to meet remotely.

How does cost and billing work?

Cost varies with location and the subscription model; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with him?

Choose the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session according to the therapist's availability.

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