James Gilligan , LCSW

James Gilligan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with two decades of clinical experience, holding a Master of Social Work from Florida International University earned in 1998 and licensed in Florida since 2000. He has built a career working across school, community, and military settings, providing individual, group, and family therapy to clients at different life stages.

Early in his career he worked in the Miami-Dade County school system with children and families, and he has experience treating people with serious mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depression. Beginning in 2007 he began working with active duty military personnel, addressing marital concerns, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and incidents of domestic violence. He brings particular experience with clients from dysfunctional family backgrounds who continue to experience trauma into adulthood and family life.

James also treats addictions and eating disorders and has provided marital counseling with training in Gottman Marriage Counseling. He employs a range of clinical methods including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and motivational interviewing skills. His practice emphasizes helping clients identify and make meaningful changes they want to see in their lives.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

James Gilligan draws on evidence-informed approaches to guide online work in accessible, practical ways. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early relationships shape emotional patterns and helps clients build healthier connections and resolve attachment-related pain. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) targets unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, providing structured tools to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and related concerns. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is used for trauma processing, helping some clients reprocess distressing memories and reduce their emotional intensity.

Choosing the right approach is collaborative. James works with clients to identify goals, preferences, and what feels most helpful, adjusting methods over time so treatment aligns with each person's needs and pace. Licensed professionals support that decision-making so clients play an active role in shaping their care.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, maintain continuity when travel is necessary, or access care from different locations. These options make it possible to receive consistent therapeutic support while working toward meaningful change.