PuttingFamilyFirst

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

JE Portrait of Dr. James English
Online therapist

Dr. James English

Calm, practical therapy for families and relationships

Credentials
IL Psychologist 071.005714
Experience
30 years
Licensed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About James

Dr. James English is a licensed clinical psychologist who blends practical therapy methods with a collaborative tone. He draws on three decades of experience to help people clarify feelings, change unhelpful thoughts, and make concrete shifts in behavior.

His style is warm and straightforward, aimed at people who want clear steps and steady support. He practices in Illinois and works with individuals, couples, and families. He focuses on relationship struggles, grief, depression, anxiety, stress, and parenting concerns.

Background and approach

He also addresses issues such as addictions, trauma and abuse, intimacy problems, and sleep or eating difficulties. Additional areas include blended family challenges, communication problems, guilt and shame, and young adult issues. In sessions he helps people name feelings and notice the thoughts that go with them.

That understanding leads to small, doable changes in how someone thinks and acts. He uses evidence-based tools from cognitive-behavioral and dialectical behavior approaches alongside attachment-informed ideas and couples work. Dr.

English emphasizes collaboration and measurable progress. He often combines skill training with conversations about relationship patterns and attachment needs. This mix aims to increase choices people can make day to day.

His background includes long experience across individual, couples, and family work. Clients can expect focused guidance on coping with life changes, building self-esteem, and improving communication in relationships.

Online approaches for family and relationship work

Dr. English commonly uses cognitive-behavioral techniques and attachment-informed work in online sessions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing them against real-life evidence so thinking and behavior can shift. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how people relate to others, helps identify patterns from past relationships, and supports building more stable connections.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. He discusses goals and preferences with each person or couple and together they choose which methods to try. That collaborative process makes it easier to adjust strategies if something is not helping.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options let families and partners fit sessions around work and parenting responsibilities. The variety also makes it possible to practice skills between sessions and to follow up in ways that suit daily life.

Attachment-Based Therapy

Looks at how early bonds shaped what you expect from closeness, and how that plays out now with a partner, a parent, or your own children.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Concrete skills for riding out strong emotion, tolerating distress, and handling relationships without things escalating. The skills are practised in daily life, so between-session support by message or phone fits naturally.

Frequently asked questions

What issues does he address?
He works with relationship problems, grief, depression, anxiety, stress, parenting concerns, trauma and related challenges such as intimacy issues and addictions.
How would you describe his therapy style?
He uses a warm, collaborative approach that helps people name feelings, notice thoughts, and practice concrete changes in behavior.
What is his professional background?
He has 30 years of experience as a clinician providing individual, couples, and family therapy.
What credentials and location are listed?
He is licensed as IL Psychologist 071.005714 and practices in Illinois.
Which languages are supported and are international clients accepted?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
Sessions may be conducted by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How is cost handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist factors; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin therapy with him?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.

Next step

Talk to James

  • Takes a few minutes
  • Nothing to set up just to look
  • Stop at any point