I am a clinical psychologist with 38 years of experience. I have worked with couples, families, individuals, groups, forensic clients including those in the criminal system as well as clients who are involved in the family court system. My core approach is to quickly appraise the psycho-social, biological, and spiritual components of my client's lives, seeking to target and move towards solutions seeking to ameliorate the suffering that their symptoms reflect. I am a non-judgemental therapist, who seeks to build an alliance with my clients to create a sense of safety and respect. I look at symptoms, such as anxiety or depression, as multi-modal, including early childhood attachment problems as well as cognitive dysfunctions and biological influences. I seek to view people wholistically, not as people who have problems, but instead as courageous individuals who have done the best they could as a result of what has happened to them. Most clients that I have worked with consider me as easy to talk to while also conceptualizing their issues well and intervening effectively.
I would love to work with you in a collaborative effort to solve and lessen the pain that you may be struggling with.
Additional areas of focus: Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, First Responder Issues, Hoarding, Jealousy, Military and Veterans Issues, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Paranoia, Personality Disorders, Phobias, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Sex Addiction, Sexual Dysfunction
Clinical approaches: Attachment-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
IL Psychologist 071004954
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dr. James Bedell. 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.
Dr. Bedell is patient, kind, and deeply knowledgeable. He's helped me find my way through some of the darkest times of my life.
Written on Apr 16, 2024 after therapy with James for 7 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety
Excellent therapist. Well versed in psychology practices and how to align them with scripture for overall wholeness
Written on Nov 07, 2023 after therapy with James for 5 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, anger management, and adhd
Incredibly helpful therapist in regards to anxiety and low self-esteem.
Written on Nov 02, 2023 after therapy with James for 8 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, self esteem, and anger management
Dr. Bedell is easy to talk to and responds well to my scattered communication patterns. He feels safe to talk to and seems to help guide me where I'm trying to get to.
Written on May 30, 2023 after therapy with James for 2 weeks on issues concerning addictions, eating disorders, self esteem, and coaching
He is a game changer . Great therapist
Written on Nov 15, 2022 after therapy with James for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, and adhd
Dr. Bedell has been great so far! His insight on my past traumas and how they impact me in adulthood as well as how they cause me to regress has helped me recognize when I’m slipping into a bad headspace. I’ve also used these insights to not take other peoples behavior as personally as I once did and it has helped me to have more empathy and compassion towards others.
Written on Jun 23, 2022 after therapy with James for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, and compassion fatigue