James Mitchell,Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Hello, I'm James Mitchell, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a client-centered approach to therapy. My focuses of practice are on the LGBTQ+ community, People with adjustment issues, trauma, and mood disorders, and anyone seeking to improve their coping skills and find solutions to make life more about living and less about just surviving! Client-centered to me means, I act as your guide, helping you talk about your issues using active listening and reflection, thinking of you as the expert on you, we work together to find solutions that work for you, and things that you can do to improve your coping and minimize stress.

My practice has been largely working with people who are adjusting to the world as it is and how to cope with it. Issues of sexuality, depression, anxiety, and relationships both romantic and platonic often come up in my sessions, and I view each client as a separate situation with unique issues. Therefore we tailor your treatment plan to what will work for you, making goals achieveable, manageable, and able to maintain. My communication style is appropriately honest, direct, self-enhancing, expressive, self-confident, and empathic to emotions that you are having. At times, I use humor, and encourage my clients to be as open as they become comfortable, but to take their time and realize growth is a life-long process.

Having grown up in a town where jobs were scarce, I moved to another state and became a mental health technician at a local inpatient hospital. There, I met many medical professionals but was always most drawn to the therapists. Having overcome many issues personally with the help of a therapist, I wanted to be that catalyst for change for others if they wanted it, and to paraphrase the Peace Corp, it's been the toughest job I've ever loved. My clients have probably taught me more than I have taught them and I consider it a priveledge to do what I do. Thanks for considering me as your therapist. I promise you, I will do all I can to help you discover ways to become your best you.

Goals are based on clients stated needs and desires for change, and as we seek them out together, I make sure they are measurable, attainable, positive, and succinct. That way, if you feel unsure of what to talk about at any given session, we can refer to the goals that you have set forth, to see where to go next if you feel stuck, or simply celebrate the realization that you have achieved them, and it's time to move on to the next one!

During the first session, we will be going over confidentiality, and I will tell you a little about my practice and what you can expect from me. Then I would like you tell me what you expect and are looking for also, and what brought you to seek therapy here. If there is time we will also make your treatment plan and discuss how to start working on your stated goals.