James Gilligan, LCSW

Licensed in Florida · 20 years in practice

James Gilligan is a licensed clinical social worker with two decades of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and the effects of trauma and abuse.

License and registration

LCSW, Florida: SW6196 · expires March 2027
NPI: 1346446002 · national provider identifier
Years in practice: 20
Languages: English

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 two decades of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and the effects of trauma and abuse. He supports those struggling with addictions, relationship and intimacy concerns, grief, sleep and eating problems, and parenting strain. He also helps people cope with career changes, bipolar challenges, and compassion fatigue.

He uses straightforward, practical methods in sessions. Conversations focus on what is happening now and what can change.

Background and approach

He listens for patterns that come from early attachment and from difficult family systems. Sessions are aimed at building skills and making concrete, manageable steps forward. Gilligan trained at Florida International University and holds a Master’s in social work.

He has worked in Miami-Dade County schools and alongside service members since 2007, addressing marital issues, PTSD symptoms, and related concerns. His background includes work with severe mental illness and with people navigating addiction and eating disorders. In therapy he mixes approaches to fit each person’s needs.

He uses elements from attachment-based work, cognitive behavioral strategies, dialectical behavior tools, and EMDR where appropriate. The focus is on helping people recognize patterns, build coping skills, and try new behaviors between sessions. Sessions are offered in English and conducted from Florida.

James aims to partner with people who want practical help for day-to-day struggles and longer-standing patterns. He works to make therapy clear, doable, and focused on real life changes.

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

Therapeutic approaches for online recovery and coping

James blends attachment-based work and cognitive behavioral therapy to address patterns and practical problems. Attachment-based therapy looks at how early relationships shape current reactions and helps people build safer ways of relating. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce anxiety, depression, and compulsive patterns.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. He collaborates with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and personal preferences. That plan can change as new issues come up or as progress is made.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy flexible. Video calls are useful for a fuller face-to-face feel. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or when a quicker check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging are helpful for short updates, coaching between sessions, or when writing out thoughts is easier. These options let people fit therapy into busy days and continue support across locations.

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Questions people ask

What concerns does this therapist address?

He supports people with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, addictions, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, sleep and eating problems, parenting strain, career changes, bipolar disorder, and compassion fatigue.

What is his therapeutic style like?

Sessions are practical and conversational. He focuses on current problems, patterns from early attachment, and small steps clients can take between sessions.

How much clinical experience does he have?

He has 20 years of experience, including work in schools, with severe mental illness, and with active duty military since 2007.

What credentials and location are listed?

He holds a Master’s in social work and is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in Florida.

Which languages and international options are available?

Sessions are offered in English. He is not accepting international clients.

What session formats are offered?

He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different preferences and schedules.

How does payment and cost work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; 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 sessions according to therapist availability.

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