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JS Portrait of James Sanniola

James Sanniola

Compassionate, practice-focused clinical social worker

LCSW Florida

Experience
25 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Sleeping
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages
English

About James

James Sanniola is a Florida-based licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with 25 years of practice who supports people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, sleep difficulties, low self-esteem, addictive behaviors, relationship and intimacy concerns, trauma and abuse, parenting challenges, anger, career transitions, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and other life changes.

Background and approach

He also attends to issues such as caregiver stress, chronic illness and pain, end-of-life and hospice concerns, isolation, and questions about life purpose and meaning. He works from a collaborative, strengths-oriented stance, treating each person as the expert on their own experience while offering structure, feedback, and practical skills.

His approach weaves cognitive behavioral techniques with acceptance and commitment ideas, client-centered listening, mindfulness practices, and motivational interviewing to help clients build coping strategies, shift unhelpful patterns, and move toward chosen values. Sanniola emphasizes clear, goal-focused work tailored to each person's needs and circumstances.

He invites those ready to begin to take the initial step toward change and offers help in developing motivation, improving sleep and emotional regulation, resolving grief, and addressing a broad range of life and relational challenges from a respectful, person-centered perspective.

Practical approaches for online care and skill building

James uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, offering concrete tools for managing anxiety, low mood, sleep problems, and impulsive patterns. He also incorporates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to support clients in clarifying values, practicing acceptance of difficult experiences, and taking committed action toward meaningful goals. Client-Centered Therapy is part of his work as well, providing empathic listening and a nonjudgmental space where clients' perspectives guide the pace and focus of sessions.

Choosing the right approach is collaborative; he will work with each client to determine which combination of methods fits their needs, preferences, and goals. Together they explore what feels most helpful, adjust strategies over time, and set practical steps to measure progress.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which makes scheduling more flexible and allows people to access care from different locations within Florida. These options can help integrate therapy into busy lives and provide ongoing support between sessions while maintaining the same therapeutic aims as in-person work.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does James help with?
He supports people experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, sleep problems, self-esteem difficulties, addictions, relationship and intimacy issues, trauma, parenting and career concerns, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and many related life challenges.
How would you describe his therapeutic style?
He practices in a collaborative, strengths-based manner that combines listening and feedback with practical skills-building to help clients set and reach personal goals.
What is his professional background?
He is a licensed clinical social worker with 25 years of experience working in clinical social work roles and supporting people through a range of emotional and life issues.
Where is he based and what are his credentials?
He is located in Florida and holds the credential FL LCSW SW7102 as a licensed clinical social worker.
Can he work with non-English speakers or international clients?
Sessions are offered in English, and he is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available for therapy?
He provides sessions via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and needs.
How are sessions paid for and what does cost look like?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to his availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesEmptinessFamily problemsFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMen's issuesVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPhobiasPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Smoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapySystemic Therapy

Experience

25+ years

Licensed

Florida

Languages

English