James "Rick" McCommon, LPC

James "Rick" McCommon is a Licensed Professional Counselor who helps people manage stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, anger, self-esteem and a wide range of life concerns. He practices in Alabama and brings ten years of counseling experience to each session. Rick aims to make the first step feel manageable for someone who may be nervous about starting therapy.

Rick keeps sessions straightforward and conversational. He encourages clients to talk openly about thoughts and feelings without judgment. He uses practical tools to help people cope day to day and to build skills they can use between sessions.

His work draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and client-centered approaches. That means he helps people notice unhelpful thinking patterns, try new behaviors, and connect with personal values to guide change. He also draws on existential and Jungian ideas when they suit a person’s goals.

Rick has supported people with relationship and intimacy issues, parenting concerns, career stress, trauma and abuse, eating and sleeping problems, and addiction-related struggles. He also addresses topics such as body image, codependency, first responder and veteran issues, and multicultural or identity-related stressors.

Sessions can include talking, practical exercises, and simple homework to practice new skills. The therapist aims to work together with each person to find approaches that fit their life and goals.

Practical approaches for online counseling

Rick uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors; CBT is often useful for anxiety, depression, and coping skills. He also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help clients clarify values and take small committed steps toward a meaningful life. Client-centered therapy is part of his approach too and focuses on listening, empathy, and reflecting what the person shares.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. He will talk with each person about their goals, try methods that match those goals, and adjust based on what works. The aim is to find tools and ways of working that feel useful and achievable for the person in front of him.

Online sessions give practical flexibility. Video calls let people work visually through exercises and maintain a regular face-to-face rhythm. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or for a shorter check-in. Live chat or text-based messaging can fit brief coaching-style support or on-the-go check-ins between longer sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life and to try different formats as needs change.