Profile / United States
James Johansen, LCSW
California
LCSW - LGBT and Relationship concerns
See online therapy options- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Attachment work
About James
James Johansen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California with 10 years of experience. He helps people with LGBT concerns, relationship problems, grief and loss, intimacy-related issues, and struggles with anger. He focuses on practical steps people can try between sessions.
James uses straightforward conversation to identify habits and thoughts that keep problems going. He listens to each person’s experience and draws on approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to suggest specific skills to try. Sessions focus on concrete strategies rather than vague theory.
People often come with communication breakdowns, commitment doubts, jealousy, or issues around sex and kink culture. James also works with concerns related to addiction, isolation, control over behavior, and questions about life purpose. He pays attention to how relationships and past attachments shape current patterns.
Sessions commonly include tracking thoughts and behaviors, practicing new ways of responding, and building small routines that make daily life easier. He uses techniques from attachment-based and client-centered approaches to help people notice how patterns began and what they can change now.
James frames therapy as a collaborative process. He treats the person in front of him as the primary expert on their life and brings ten years of clinical perspective to offer options and feedback. Those interested in beginning are asked to use the site flow to match and schedule a first session.
How his approaches translate to online work
James commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and test different responses. CBT breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and suggests concrete experiments to try between sessions. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is another tool he draws on; ACT focuses on clarifying values and taking committed action even when difficult thoughts or feelings are present. Attachment-Based Therapy is used to look at how early relationship patterns show up now and to practice new ways of relating.Finding the right mix of approaches is a collaborative process. He will talk with each person about their goals and preferences and recommend techniques to try. Clients and the therapist review what helps and adjust the plan over time rather than sticking rigidly to one method.
Confirm the therapist's available session formats before booking through the profile flow. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, shorten check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. It also lets people practice new communication skills in real life between meetings. Those interested should use the site button to complete the matching questionnaire and schedule an initial session.
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does he most often address?
He works with LGBT issues, relationship problems, grief and loss, intimacy-related concerns, and anger management.
How would he describe his therapeutic approach?
He uses practical, skills-based methods and conversational exploration, drawing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and ACT among other approaches.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has 10 years of professional experience working in clinical settings and with individual clients.
What are his credentials and location?
He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in California and practices from that state.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with him?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
Confirm the current session formats before booking by checking the online therapy options on the profile.
How are costs and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.