Dr. Ricardo Gillispie, PhD, LCSW , LCSW

Dr. Ricardo Gillispie, PhD, LCSW helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy concerns, and life changes. He works with worries about parenting, sleep, addiction, grief, and identity issues including LGBT matters. He brings practical, straightforward care to people facing emotional pain and difficult transitions.

He has worked in social work since the 1970s and holds a PhD in social work. He also holds a Master of Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. His training and long career include clinical work in private practice and leadership roles developing mental health programs.

Over many years he has developed programs for older adults and for correctional settings, and has trained other professionals. That background informs his focus on coping skills, communication, and managing complex stressors. He aims to make therapy clear and useful in daily life.

In sessions he uses a mix of approaches that match each person's needs. He draws on cognitive techniques to shift unhelpful thinking, emotion-focused work to deepen connection to values, and attachment-based ideas to improve important relationships. He also uses skills from acceptance and commitment and dialectical behavior approaches when helpful.

Dr. Gillispie offers video, phone, live chat, and text-based sessions from Mississippi and works with people internationally. He combines decades of experience with a direct, warm style to help people move forward.

Therapy Approaches and How They Fit Online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters most and take small actions toward those values. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes by teaching acceptance and committed action. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early bonds shape current relationships and helps people improve trust, closeness, and communication in important relationships.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the person about goals and preferences and then try methods that match those needs. Sessions often blend ideas from different approaches so the work stays practical and relevant to everyday life.

Online formats offer flexible ways to keep therapy consistent. Video calls let people meet face to face when a deeper conversation is needed. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or when someone prefers not to use video. Live chat and text-based messaging work well for brief check-ins, skills practice, or fitting a session into a busy day. These options make it easier to access ongoing support across time zones and schedules.