James Milner

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.