Dr. James Guinee, AR Psychologist 97-02P

Dr. James Guinee is a licensed psychologist in Arkansas (license AR Psychologist 97-02P) with 28 years of professional experience. He spent the majority of his career working in university counseling centers and, since 2020, has expanded into contract work through a local hospital, employee assistance programs, and most recently Better Help.

His practice focuses on depression and anxiety - often tied to irrational beliefs and over-thinking - along with relationship concerns, coping with grief and loss, religious conflict, nightmares and dream interpretation, anger management, and low self-esteem. He has also worked extensively with attachment issues, avoidant and dependent personality traits, codependency, communication and control problems, fatherhood issues, men's issues, and questions of life purpose.

There are areas he does not treat, including addictions (especially drug addiction and porn addiction), physical illnesses and their mental health impact, same sex attraction when individuals do not wish that attraction affirmed, sexual identity questioning, and sexual intimacy problems. For the past 25 years he has provided couples therapy and premarital counseling; he enjoys this work but notes that both partners need to be committed to the process. He reports limited success with infidelity and states he does not have the training to address physical intimacy issues.

Dr. Guinee emphasizes a collaborative approach in which he listens, offers feedback, and creates a space for honest communication. He is personable and relaxed in style, open to feedback, and committed to helping people make good use of their time and resources. He checks messages throughout the day and aims to respond promptly. He encourages prospective clients to reach out and take a first step to see how the work progresses. He often references John 16:33: 'I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.'

Therapeutic approaches and accessible online care

Dr. James Guinee integrates several evidence-informed approaches into his work to match each person's needs. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice and accept difficult thoughts and feelings while taking action guided by their values - it is often useful for anxiety, depression, and stress related to over-thinking. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating a nonjudgmental, empathetic space where a therapist reflects and supports the client's own capacity for growth - this approach is helpful for low self-esteem, relational concerns, and life transitions. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) concentrates on identifying and reshaping emotional responses within relationships to improve bonding and communication - it is commonly used in couples work and attachment-related issues.

Finding the best approach is part of the therapeutic process. Dr. Guinee works collaboratively with clients and licensed professionals to determine which methods fit a person's goals, preferences, and circumstances, and he adapts the work as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers practical benefits for people with busy schedules or geographic limitations. Video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging allow for flexible scheduling, easier access from different locations, and continuity of care when in-person visits are not possible. These options make it easier to maintain consistent work on relationships, grief, anxiety, and other concerns without sacrificing regularity or engagement.