About James
James Michehl uses practical, goal-oriented methods to help people facing relationship problems and depression. He blends approaches that focus on changing thoughts and behaviors with shorter-term coaching strategies. He also offers hypnotherapy for issues like smoking cessation and anxiety reduction.
James holds the LCPC credential, which he earned after completing a master’s degree in education and advanced community counseling work at DePaul University. Over 20 years he has worked in a range of settings and with many kinds of challenges.
Background and approach
His background includes group work on the autism spectrum and facilitation of critical stress debriefings for police departments. He also supports first responders, including firefighter behavioral health programs focused on suicide prevention. James treats relationship difficulties such as infidelity, jealousy, communication breakdowns, and divorce or separation concerns.
He helps men facing midlife questions and veterans coping with trauma and post-traumatic stress. Social anxiety, seasonal affective disorder, and smoking or vaping cessation are also areas he addresses. In sessions he focuses on setting clear, achievable goals and tracking progress together.
He uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to look at patterns of thinking and behavior and Solution-Focused Therapy to identify immediate steps that move things forward. Hypnotherapy is another option when clients want targeted support for habits or anxiety. Clients can work with him by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging.
He is based in Illinois and communicates in English. Starting therapy begins with a short matching questionnaire and scheduling through the Start Therapy button.
Online approaches that focus on change and goals
James uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice and change unhelpful thought and behavior patterns; this approach is often used for depression, anxiety, and social phobia. He also offers Solution-Focused Therapy which emphasizes small, practical steps and immediate goals to create forward momentum in relationships or life transitions.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together they will try methods that match the client's needs and adjust the plan as progress is reviewed.
Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility. Video sessions allow face-to-face conversation for deeper exchanges. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging work well for brief updates, ongoing check-ins, or when writing feels more comfortable than speaking. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, family, and travel schedules while keeping the focus on practical change.
Questions people ask
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What this counselor works with
Most often
- Relationship issues
Also listed
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 20 years
- Licensed
- Illinois
- Languages
- English