Welcome!
My name is James Michael Cole (please, call me Michael) and I am a licensed mental health professional.
I hold two Bachelor's degrees in Business and Social Work, a Master's degree in Social Work, and two clinical licenses (Minnesota and North Dakota) both in good standing with full diagnostic and treatment privileges to practice as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker.
Over the years I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of settings with folks from a variety of backgrounds and experiences and have professional experience in everything from diagnostics/prescribing treatments, triage, child welfare, SPMI (serious and persistent mental illnesses), and co-occurring disorders (substance use and mental health occurring at the same time) to couples-counseling, issues of grief/loss, both group and individual psychotherapy sessions, building skills, guest-lecturing at universities, and teaching collegiate level courses to future social workers/clinicians. Currently, I'm the owner/operator of my own small private practice.
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 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.
Thank you!
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.
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
He's great...and that is all I have to say
Written on Nov 08, 2023 after therapy with James for 8 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting issues, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and adhd