Dr. Ricardo Gillispie, PhD, LCSW, LCSW

Dr. Ricardo Gillispie, PhD, LCSW brings a long and varied career in social work and behavioral health that spans clinical practice, program development, and organizational leadership. He earned a Bachelor of Social Science in 1973 from Mississippi Valley State University, completed the inaugural Master of Social Work program at the University of Southern Mississippi in 1975, and later completed a PhD in Social Work at Jackson State University in 2000 with a concentration in psychotherapeutic social work. He was recognized as the first Social Worker of the Year by the Mississippi Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers in 1992.

Throughout his career he led and built services across settings. As part owner and CEO of Family Counseling Services, PLLC in Meridian, Mississippi, he directed a multidisciplinary private practice that included psychiatrists, licensed clinical social workers, psychologists, counselors, and psychiatric nurse practitioners. In private practice he focused on marriage and family therapy and on cognitive and affective disorders, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. After retiring from private practice he continued clinical work as a group therapist for Rush/Ochsner Intensive Outpatient Psychogeriatric Programs serving East Mississippi.

Dr. Gillispie has consulted on program development for psychogeriatric intensive outpatient services, provided training for social workers and medical staff, and surveyed programs in line with CMS guidelines. He designed a pioneering mental health program for corrections and later served as Deputy Warden of Mental Health Programs at East Mississippi Correctional Facility while maintaining his clinical work. Earlier roles included assistant director of a regional mental health center, clinical director and investor in a psychiatric hospital, and service on local and state professional boards and school governance.

He holds a PhD in Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - LCSW, a credential that indicates advanced training and authorization to provide clinical social work services. His career also includes honors such as induction into the Meridian Community College Hall of Fame in 2006 and service as an instructor and adjunct faculty member at regional institutions. Dr. Gillispie works with a broad range of concerns including stress, anxiety, relationship and intimacy issues, trauma and abuse, grief, addiction, parenting, and geriatric mental health, and he accepts international clients from his practice in Mississippi.

Evidence-based approaches for online therapeutic care

Dr. Gillispie integrates several therapeutic methods that translate well to online work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and take committed action while learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings - it is often used for stress, anxiety, and life transitions. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early relationships shape current patterns in close relationships and can help address intimacy, abandonment, and family issues by exploring relational needs and responses. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) targets the connections between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to develop practical strategies for symptoms such as anxiety, depression, sleeping problems, and anger.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Dr. Gillispie works with each person to identify goals, preferences, and the techniques that fit best, adjusting methods as progress and needs evolve. This collaborative stance helps tailor care to individual concerns and life circumstances.

Online therapy with Dr. Gillispie includes video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility for busy schedules and for clients who live far from Mississippi. These options allow licensed professionals and therapists to maintain continuity of care, make scheduling easier, and support ongoing work between sessions.