PuttingFamilyFirst

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JD Portrait of John DeCarlis
Online therapist

John DeCarlis

Supportive, practical therapy for everyday challenges

Credentials
LISW, LSCSW
Experience
26 years
Licensed in
Kansas, Maryland, Missouri
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About John

John DeCarlis is a licensed clinical social worker who focuses on clear, practical help for people facing stress, anxiety, grief, depression, parenting challenges, addiction, and life transitions. He writes and talks plainly in sessions and focuses on skill-building so people leave with tools they can use. John brings 26 years of experience and frames work around what each person needs right now.

He practices in Ohio and meets in formats that suit busy lives like video calls, phone, chat, or text messaging.

Background and approach

In sessions John uses a mix of approaches to match what someone needs. He often draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people stop fighting things they cannot control and instead take meaningful action. He also uses cognitive behavioral techniques to identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with more useful ones.

Sessions are interactive and aimed at concrete changes rather than labels. John describes his style as direct, approachable, and practical. He emphasizes strengths and builds skills for coping with anxiety, sleep problems, anger, relationships, and the stresses of work and parenting.

He tailors the plan to each person and focuses on actions that improve daily life. His background includes decades of clinical social work practice and a master’s degree from the University of Maryland School of Social Work. John holds LISW and LSCSW credentials.

He has worked with a wide range of concerns and continues to center respect for each person’s story in therapy. Parents and adults who want straightforward, skill-focused support often find his approach helpful. He aims to help people develop tools, try new behaviors, and make steady progress toward clearer goals.

Therapeutic approaches and how they work online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people accept what they cannot control and focus on actions that matter. It is useful for anxiety, stress, and life transitions because it shifts attention from fighting thoughts to doing what supports values. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact and teaches specific skills to change unhelpful patterns. It is commonly used for depression, panic, and sleep problems.

Finding the right approach is a team effort. John will talk with each person about goals and preferences and then try techniques that fit those needs. Treatment plans are adjusted as progress is tracked so the work stays relevant and practical.

Online therapy offers flexibility for busy schedules. Video calls let people meet face to face from home, while phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging provide options when time or travel are barriers. These formats make it easier to keep therapy consistent and to practice skills between sessions, supporting steady progress over time.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Less about arguing with difficult thoughts, more about loosening their grip and acting on what matters to you anyway. Values and committed action carry the work, which suits conversation at a distance.

Attachment-Based Therapy

Looks at how early bonds shaped what you expect from closeness, and how that plays out now with a partner, a parent, or your own children.

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.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does he help with?
John works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, sleep problems, parenting concerns, relationship and intimacy issues, anger, career and life changes, and ADHD among other concerns.
What is his therapy style like?
He uses a direct, approachable, and interactive style focused on building practical skills. Sessions emphasize action and coping tools rather than labels.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He brings 26 years of experience in clinical social work, including work with depression, trauma, grief, and workplace issues.
What credentials and location apply?
He holds LISW and LSCSW credentials. His practice is based in Ohio.
Which languages and international options are available?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not accepted.
In what formats are sessions offered?
Therapy is available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are needed to begin?
Choose the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule based on the therapist's availability.

Next step

Talk to John

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