Welcome!
My name is Michael Cole (James) and I am a licensed mental health professional. I offer my services here as a part-time contractor. I hold multiple degrees including a Master's in Social Work and multiple licenses to practice as an independent clinician (LICSW) in various states.
My approach to services is eclectic in nature, which is to say that I shift my approach to meet your needs, whatever those may be. I do not believe in "cookie-cutter approaches" to this kind of work as each person is unique as are their needs and goals. I strive to be culturally informed and desire to provide competent support to all persons in need.
You deserve a clinician that you can trust and who is focused on your specific needs. You deserve someone who will hold space for you, who will not cast judgement, and who will work with you to help you determine what the best path forward looks like. These things are what I strive to provide to every client I see.
I am very excited to meet you and to get started on addressing the concerns/issues that brought you in to see me. Please, don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions.
PLEASE NOTE: I do not offer "messaging sessions" and due to my limited availability I mandate that clients only book sessions that they can keep as no-shows, late cancels, and late appearances will result in my having you find another provider to work with who can accommodate such things.
Thank you for reading up on me.
Additional areas of focus: Relationship issues, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Adoption and foster care, Aging and geriatric issues, Antisocial personality, Avoidant personality, BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture, Blended family issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with natural or human-caused disaster, Dependent personality, Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Fatherhood issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Men's issues, Midlife crisis, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders, Multicultural concerns, Narcissism, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Personality disorders, Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships, Post-traumatic stress, Prejudice and discrimination, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Self-love, Sex addiction, Sexual assault and abuse, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Somatization, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young adult issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
ND LCSW 5244
MN LICSW 32045
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for James Cole. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
I have struggled trying to find an empathetic counselor that really makes ME think about what I NEED to do to take care of myself. Thank you, James!
Written on Jan 18, 2025 after therapy with James for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Excellent listener and teacher
Written on Nov 17, 2024 after therapy with James for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, sleeping disorders, and self esteem
James is a wonderful therapist! In the four months I’ve been doing therapy, he is very considerate and responsive. He takes time to break things down in easy to understand ways which helps a lot in getting through issues that I bring up about personal life.
James is by far the best therapist I’ve had.
Written on Jun 19, 2024 after therapy with James for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, and coping with life changes
A great fit
Written on Jan 17, 2024 after therapy with James for 9 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, lgbt, sleeping disorders, anger management, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
My therapist is the kindest person I've ever talked to. He's incredibly patient and makes me feel genuinely welcome. His compassion and understanding create a trusting and positive therapeutic environment that has a profound impact on my well-being.
Written on Jan 07, 2024 after therapy with James for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, eating disorders, and anger management
James has been the best thing to happen to me the second we connected. I’m grateful for finding him & being able to be the person I am today emotionally. Thank you James.
Written on Nov 11, 2023 after therapy with James for 7 months on issues concerning depression, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes