Michael James
Michael James
I am not your typical therapist as I started my career in finance and have an undergrad in Business. While I could succeed in this path, I did not find meaning in it. I see becoming a therapist as a calling and not a vocation. I first worked in acute mental health as an advocate, then as an addiction counselor, and eventually after receiving my MSW as a dual diagnosis therapist. I have much empathy for the hurting and have always been drawn to those who have suffered from mental illness, addiction, and the effects of trauma. As such, I have been a mental health advocate, addiction therapist, mental health therapist, trauma therapist, psychiatric director, and behavioral health COO. I feel like I have seen all levels of behavioral health care and use that wealth of experience, resources, and specialized training to help others. I believe that compassion and empathy are keys to change and try my very best to meet you where you are. I also value diversity and have worked with a wide range of the problems that individuals and couples struggle with. Most of all, I am not a respecter of persons and have worked with the homeless to the CEOs of major corporations. I feel that we are all just humans and that we all struggle with similar challenges and problems. I have also worked with a great diversity of people from very diverse cultures and many international clients.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In the first session, I will get to know you, understand why you are in therapy, and understand your goals for therapy. We will talk about some of the current issues and what has led up to them. I will also explain therapy and we will openly discuss what problems and strategies we want to use going forward. I also give you assignments between sessions and like to message between sessions if you need some input, support, or resources.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I am down to earth and usually am able to build solid rapport with most people. I am very comfortable with business men and women as I have been an executive but have also worked with many individuals with more severe mental illness. I am empathetic and feel like I have a strong clinical background from clinically managing psychiatric units and programs. I also have extensive knowledge about medications and treatment options that has developed from over a decade of working closely with psychiatrists. I am approachable, easy to talk to, supportive, respectful, and kind. I am very experienced and comfortable with even acute psychiatric issues.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I like working with adults and couples with ADHD and with trauma and attachment related issues from childhood. I also really enjoy working with couples and utilizing emotionally focused therapy. I am also very comfortable with mental health disorders and have worked extensively with people with anxiety, depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, and ADHD. I really like working with couples as well. My dream client is a person or couple with spouse with ADHD that is struggling with emotional dysregulation, relational problems and/or anxiety. I also worked several years in a substance abuse/dual diagnosis program and have worked on a women's trauma unit making me much more comfortable working with more severe childhood trauma.
About Michael James
Michael James offers therapy covered by Medicaid - Peach State Health Plan and Peach State Health Plan (Managed Medicaid) in Georgia.
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is one of the most evidenced ways modality to treat a wide range of mental health conditions. It has been extensively tested as a modality and CBT stretegies continue to be utilized effectively by many people even years after completing therapy.
EMDR
EMDR is one of the most evidenced based ways to treat trauma and I have found it very helpful in treating cumalative childhood trauma stemming from abuse, neglect, and other adverse childhood events.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT is one of the best modalities to help a person gain emotional regulation skills. I really like to utilize when a person is struggling with coping with emotional dysregulation