James Johansen, LCSW

James Johansen is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people navigate jealousy, relationship struggles, grief, intimacy concerns, and anger. He frames the work around each person's strengths and respects the effort it takes to reach out for help.

He listens first and asks clear questions to get a sense of what matters most to the client. Sessions focus on practical steps clients can try between meetings, and on naming patterns that keep problems in place. James uses straightforward language and a steady, supportive presence during the work.

Over a decade of practice in California informs his approach. He has worked with people facing LGBTQ+ issues, loss and bereavement, and sexual identity concerns such as kink and alternative sex culture. He also addresses substance use, control and communication problems, and struggles with isolation or purpose.

Clinically he draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Those methods guide how he helps people notice what matters, shift unhelpful habits, and build new ways of relating to themselves and others.

James encourages small, doable changes that fit into daily life. He helps people sort options and try what seems most useful. The process is collaborative and paced to each person's needs and readiness.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, focuses on helping people notice their thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them and then commit to actions that reflect their values. It can help with jealousy, relationship decisions, and finding meaning. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at patterns in relationships that began early in life and uses that understanding to change how people connect and trust today. It is useful when repeated relationship difficulties or intimacy worries keep coming up.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the client about what matters most, what has or hasn’t helped before, and which methods feel comfortable. Together they choose and adjust techniques as goals evolve, so the plan fits the client's needs and preferences.

Confirm current session options before booking since specific formats are not listed here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, shorten travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. They also make it possible to continue work when life shifts, while keeping the focus on practical skills, new perspectives on relationships, and steps to reduce jealousy and anger.