James Johansen

James Johansen is a licensed clinical social worker in California with ten years of experience helping people facing anger, relationship strain, grief, and intimacy concerns. He centers the conversation on each person’s strengths and their goals. James emphasizes practical steps and steady support so people can move toward a more satisfying life.

He works with clients on LGBTQ+ related concerns and on issues connected to sex, kink, and non-monogamous relationships. He also helps with communication problems, jealousy, control issues, and the stress that comes from isolation or life transitions. Addiction and veteran-related challenges are among other areas he addresses.

James draws from a mix of approaches to fit what a person needs. He uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to clarify values and build committed action. He uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to notice and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. Attachment-based ideas help when relationship patterns and closeness are the focus.

In sessions he treats people as partners in the work. He listens for what already helps, then suggests small, concrete steps to try between meetings. The pace is collaborative and practical, with attention to safety around strong emotions like anger.

People who reach out will complete a short matching questionnaire before scheduling. That helps match goals and availability so sessions start with a clear plan and a first set of priorities.

How therapeutic approaches fit with online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people name what matters to them and take small steps toward those values. It is useful for anger, grief, and when someone feels stuck and wants clearer direction. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on spotting patterns in thoughts and actions and trying concrete changes to reduce distress and improve daily functioning. It fits well when anger or relationship problems involve recurring reactions or unhelpful thinking. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationship experiences shape current patterns and helps people try new ways of relating when closeness or trust are difficult.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about goals and preferences, and will suggest which methods to try together. That conversation shapes the plan so sessions match what feels most useful and realistic.

The practical gains of online therapy are about fitting care into life. Confirm current session formats before booking, since specific options are not listed in the biography. Online work can make scheduling easier, allow shorter check-ins when time is tight, and reduce travel time so therapy fits around work or family commitments. Licensed professionals can adapt ACT, CBT, and attachment-based exercises to an online setting so people can practice tools between sessions and track progress over time.