Teletherapy with Dr. Jimmy
For individual adults, adolescents, & romantic partners
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Welcome & thank you for visiting my page. I hope that the information here answers any questions you might have about me & what our work together might look like. I also offer a free 10-15 minute phone consultation to discuss your specific needs, answer any questions you have, & mutually determine whether we would be a good fit for each other. Finding a counselor who you feel comfortable and confident in working with is one of the most important aspects of the therapeutic process.
I received generalist training with an emphasis in Child and Family Therapy from the University of North Texas (UNT) Counseling Psychology program & have worked in a variety of settings including private practice, community clinics, college counseling centers, & hospitals. I enjoy working with individual adults & adolescents, romantic relationships, & families. I have experience with a wide variety of concerns in addition to the specialties listed below.
Concerns & Populations I Work With:
Depression
Anxiety
Trauma
Relationships
Identity Exploration
LGBTQIA+
Life Transitions
Neurodiversity
Grief & Loss
My Approach to Therapy
My Approach to Therapy
I view therapy as a process of meeting people where they are and helping them navigate the path to where they want to be. The further people deviate from what really gives their life meaning and purpose, the more pain and suffering they experience. I work collaboratively with people to clarify what gives their life meaning, explore past efforts to solve problems that have not worked, develop insight into themselves and their relationships, and help make lasting changes to live a fulfilling life.
I integrate interventions from a variety of scientifically supported treatments including humanistic, existential, acceptance and commitment, psychodynamic, emotion-focused, cognitive-behavioral, and family systems theory. I strongly believe that, regardless of therapeutic approach, the counseling relationship is the most influential factor in therapy. Our connection with one another as humans is crucial. I strive to create an environment that honors each person’s autonomy and experiences in the context of their unique and intersecting identities.
What to Expect in Session
What to Expect in Session
When working with me, you can expect a collaborative approach tailored to you. Therapy can look very different depending on the concerns that are being addressed and the individual characteristics that make each person unique. For many, therapy can bring up any number of distressing emotions, thoughts, sensations, and memories that they were not expecting. Often, people report feeling worse before they begin to feel better. With this understanding, I want to work with you through this sometimes messy process of growth.
We will work as a team to create a therapeutic relationship built on mutual trust, respect, and safety. I believe that the more authentic we are around others, the more others are able to share their true selves. As with any genuine relationship, the more time we spend connecting with one another, the greater likelihood we will experience conflict. This is normal and gives us an opportunity to work together to navigate any disagreements that may arise.
My commitment to every person I work with is to honor all parts of their humanity. I do not view the people I work with as a “disease” or as someone who needs to be “fixed” or “cured.” If we can be certain about anything in life, it is that there will be suffering. How we respond to this suffering is crucial to living a life full of meaning, purpose, and vitality.
Education
Education
2019-2020: Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Private Practice, Chrysalis Center
2018-2019: Pre-Doctoral Internship in Health-Service Psychology, University of Texas at Dallas Student Counseling Center
2013-2019: Masters and Doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of North Texas
Dissertation: Military and Veteran Mental Health Stigma and Help-Seeking Behaviors: Role of Leadership and Attachment
2011-2013: Bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of North Texas
2005-2009: Associates Degree in Public Affairs from the Community College of the Air Force
Publications
Publications
McGuffin, J. J., Riggs, S. A., & Taylor, D. J. (2019). Role of Combat Exposure and Insomnia in Student Veterans’ Adaptation to College. Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 17(2), 213-223.
Riggs, S. A., Carver, K. S., Romero, D., Morissette, S. B., Wilson, J., Campbell, R., & McGuffin, J. (2019). Attachment, Communication, and Relationship Functioning Among College Student Veterans and Nonveterans. Journal of College Counseling, 22(2), 110-124.
Riggs, S.A., Raiche, E., Creech, S,, McGuffin, J.J., & Romero, D. (submitted for publication). Military Mental Health: Role of the Family Attachment Network. Manuscript submitted for publication in the Journal of Family Psychology.
McGuffin, J.J. & Riggs, S.A. (in preparation). Military and Veteran Mental Health Stigma and Help-Seeking Behaviors: Role of Leadership. Under review.
Riggs, S.A., McGuffin, J., Raiche, E., & Woolford, B. (in preparation). Evaluation of Client Change in a Doctoral Training Practicum in Couple & Family Intervention. Manuscript in preparation to submit for publication.
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