James Milner, LCSW

About me

Greetings! I am James Milner, an LCSW, with 20 years of providing counseling services in a professional capacity. I am a graduate of Savannah State University, where I received my Bachelor of Social Work degree.I then completed my Master of Social Work degree at the University of Georgia. I obtained my LMSW in 2006. I obtained my clinical licensure in 2012.
I am from Atlanta, GA, and have worked in the area for my entire career. I initially served as the Mental Health Specialist for Community Concerns, Inc., and supervised a transitional housing program for severely mentally ill homeless men for 10 years. Since that time I have gone on to become the Executive Director of the agency. In that capacity I have designed and implemented several supportive housing programs including: Emergency Shelter; transitional housing for women; a Dual Diagnosis Substance Abuse residential program; and an apartment complex with onsite supportive services for homeless families.
During this time I also started my private Practice, S.H.A.N.T.I Psychotherapy, LLC (S.H.A.N.T.I - Spiritual Holistic and Natural Therapeutic Interventions). Through that agency I contracted to provide services at Georgia State University in their Counseling and Testing Department. I maintained that contract for approximately three years. From there I obtained my own office space in downtown Decatur, GA and operated out of that space a little over two years. I left my office space when I was promoted to Executive Director of my non-profit agency, CCI.
In addition, I am a licensed and ordained Baptist minister and serve as the Assistant Pastor of the Chapel of Christian Love Baptist Church. In that capacity I am also the Lead Pastoral Counselor for the church. I am a yogi and Reiki Master. I am also Certified as a Meditation Instructor and as an Anger Management trainer. I am also trained in hypnotherapy.
I consider understanding the culture, world - view and belief system of the client with whom I am working, to be crucial to establishing an effective therapeutic relationship. I utilize an eclectic approach that incorporates philosophy, psychology, and spirituality as valid tools to improve well being of the clients I serve. My specialty is assisting adults in understanding their personal history and the connection to the challenges they currently face. I enjoy the therapeutic relationship and operate from a personal philosophy that believes "mind over body...spirit over mind". In addition to utilizing the Best Evidence BasedPractices that have evolved out of therapeutic practice; I acknowledge the extensive history of applying interventions that take into account the spiritual beliefs of the individual. To that end I also utilize Transpersonal Psychology as deemed appropriate and effective.
I have worked well with men, women and couples. I work to connect with each client as an individual and not as a representative of their assigned diagnosis. I see the diagnostic process as simply a step toward finding the most appropriate solution to alleviate suffering and to increase the quality of life.

Professional experience

Additional areas of focus: Addictions, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Grief, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Abandonment, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Communication Problems, Control Issues, Dependent Personality, Divorce and Separation, Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Fatherhood Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and Shame, Infidelity, Isolation/Loneliness, Jealousy, Life Purpose, Men's Issues, Mood Disorders, Multicultural Concerns, Polyamory / Nonmonogamous Relationships, Prejudice and Discrimination, Self-Love, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Social Anxiety and Phobia, Workplace Issues

Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Hypnotherapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems

License information

GA LCSW CSW004725

Reviews

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