Dr. Ricardo Gillispie, PhD, LCSW

Dr. Ricardo Gillispie, PhD, LCSW helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship strain, and life changes. He also supports those coping with aging and geriatric issues, addiction, trauma, parenting challenges, and career or intimacy concerns. He is based in Mississippi and brings many years of practice to his work.

He uses straightforward conversation and practical tools. Sessions focus on what is happening now and what a person wants to change. He draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors. Attachment-based ideas guide work on relationship patterns.

Dr. Gillispie earned a PhD in social work with a focus on psychotherapeutic social work. He also holds a Master of Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Over five decades he has worked in clinics, hospitals, correctional settings, and outpatient programs, and has taught social work students.

He has experience developing and consulting on programs for geriatric patients and for behavioral health services. That background informs how he approaches aging-related concerns and complex care needs. He has also led training for other professionals and surveyed programs for compliance with federal guidelines.

In sessions the emphasis is on clear goals and practical steps. People can expect to talk through patterns, practice new skills, and get help making choices that fit their life. The therapist aims to match tools to each person’s needs and pace.

How his approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emphasizes noticing thoughts and choosing actions that match what matters to a person. It can help with anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes by teaching practical skills for staying engaged in meaningful activities. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to change mood and stress levels. It is often used for anxiety, depression, sleeping problems, and anger. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationship patterns show up now and helps people shift those patterns to improve connection and communication.

Finding the right approach is collaborative. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t worked before. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan as progress and needs change.

The biography does not specify session formats, so confirm available online options before booking. In practice, online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow a shorter check-in when time is limited, or remove travel time that would otherwise be needed. Licensed professionals can use remote sessions to guide skill practice, teach coping strategies, and support problem solving while helping clients apply changes between meetings.