James Gilligan, LCSW

James Gilligan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 20 years of experience practicing in Florida. He works with adults who are managing stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, and codependency concerns. He also helps people facing problems with sleep, eating, anger, parenting, career shifts, and compassion fatigue.

He trained at Florida International University and has been licensed in Florida since 2000. Early in his career he worked in Miami-Dade schools, offering individual and group work and supporting students with complex needs. Later he worked with people who have severe mental illness, including bipolar disorder and major depression.

From 2007 he worked with active duty military. That work included individual therapy for anxiety, depression, PTSD, marital issues, and cases involving domestic violence. He also supports people carrying trauma from dysfunctional family systems into their adult relationships.

James uses a mix of practical approaches in sessions. He draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to untangle unhelpful thinking. He uses attachment-based ideas to look at how early bonds affect current relationships. He also incorporates elements of dialectical behavior therapy and EMDR when appropriate.

Sessions focus on concrete skills and steps people can try between meetings. He works with clients on communication problems, boundary setting, dealing with abandonment and attachment wounds, and managing cravings or compulsive behaviors. The aim is clearer choices and better day-to-day coping.

Approaches used in online sessions