PuttingFamilyFirst

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BS Portrait of Burton "Burt" Swaim
Online therapist

Burton "Burt" Swaim

Practical, experienced support for life challenges

Credentials
LCSW
Experience
50 years
Licensed in
Utah, California
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Burton

Burton "Burt" Swaim helps people who are struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, and issues with addiction. He is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 50 years of experience and is based in Utah. Burt aims to create a straightforward, nonjudgmental space where clients can talk about feelings and make practical plans for change.

Burt uses goal-setting and active participation to guide the process. He helps people rebuild confidence, strengthen motivation, and set realistic steps toward better day-to-day functioning.

Background and approach

Sessions emphasize clear priorities and measurable progress rather than vague talk. He has long experience supporting people through grief, trauma, intimacy concerns, and life transitions. Burt also brings work in aging and hospice counseling, infidelity, veteran issues, and process addictions such as gambling or problematic sexual behavior.

That background informs how he frames problems and possible next steps with each person. Burt draws on Client-Centered Therapy to listen and respond to each person's needs. He uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to spot unhelpful thinking and build different habits.

Existential ideas help clients find meaning and make choices that match their values. Outside clinical work he has been involved in recovery advocacy and documentary work related to alcoholism and chemical dependency. Burt and his wife also authored a personal memoir about recovery and relationships.

He frames therapy as a collaborative project where the client sets goals and he provides support and direction.

Approaches and online therapy options with Burt

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and responding to each person's experience. The therapist creates an accepting space, reflects what you say, and follows the client's priorities to build trust and direction. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It uses simple exercises and small behavioral steps to reduce anxiety, lift mood, and change unhelpful patterns.

Deciding which approach to use is part of the work together. Burt will discuss your needs, goals, and preferences and try different methods to find what helps most. The process is collaborative and adjusted over time based on what is working.

Online therapy here is offered by licensed professionals using video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Those options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules and to continue work during life transitions. Many people find the flexibility helpful for keeping momentum between sessions and applying new skills in real time.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Existential Therapy

Takes the larger questions seriously: meaning, choice, mortality, responsibility. Suited to periods when the difficulty is less a symptom than a sense that something has to change.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist address?
Burt works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationships, grief, trauma, anger, and a range of addiction issues. He also focuses on aging and geriatric concerns, hospice and end-of-life counseling, infidelity, and veteran-related matters.
What is his general therapy style?
He practices in a direct, collaborative way that emphasizes goal-setting and active client participation. Sessions combine listening with practical steps to change thoughts and behaviors.
How long has he been practicing?
Burt has five decades of professional experience working in psychotherapy and recovery-related projects. That long experience is part of how he approaches practical problem solving.
What are his credentials and where is he located?
He is a licensed clinical social worker - LCSW - with licenses CA LCSW 2658 and UT LCSW 11201705-3501. His practice is based in Utah.
Which languages are offered for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does he work with clients internationally?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
What formats are available for sessions?
Sessions can be conducted via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on what the client prefers.
How are costs and starting therapy handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and uses a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Next step

Talk to Burton

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