PuttingFamilyFirst

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TF Portrait of Thomas Flanagan
Online therapist

Thomas Flanagan

Direct, experienced therapy for life challenges

Credentials
LSCSW, LCSW
Experience
40 years
Licensed in
Kansas, Missouri, Colorado
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Thomas

Thomas Flanagan is a licensed social worker who takes a straightforward, practical approach to therapy. He is an LSCSW (Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker) and an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) with four decades of experience. He focuses on helping people who face stress, anxiety, addiction, depression, relationship struggles, grief, parenting challenges, and related issues.

Thomas listens carefully and focuses on what can be changed now. Thomas emphasizes strengths. He helps clients identify skills and habits they already use.

Background and approach

Then he shows how to use those strengths to change behaviors and reach goals. Sessions are focused and action-oriented when that fits the person’s needs. He blends common therapeutic methods such as client-centered work, cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical skills, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused strategies.

Those tools help with emotion regulation, problem solving, motivation, and practical next steps. Thomas draws on forty years of experience in Kansas. That background gives him a broad view of how life events and roles affect people over time.

He pays attention to each person’s story rather than using one-size-fits-all advice. People who meet him can expect clear feedback, collaborative planning, and an emphasis on measurable change. He invites those ready to work toward different outcomes to explore options and set realistic goals together.

Using evidence-based approaches in online therapy

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and understanding the person’s perspective. The therapist offers empathy, reflection, and support while helping the client find their own solutions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps identify unhelpful thoughts and actions and then builds practical skills to change them; it is often used for anxiety, depression, and everyday stress. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, DBT, teaches skills for managing intense emotions and improving relationships through mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation techniques.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped in the past. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust them over time based on what is working.

Online therapy offers several practical benefits. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation from home, phone sessions remove travel barriers, and live chat or text-based messaging can support short check-ins or ongoing coaching between sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life while keeping the focus on clear steps and progress.

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.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Concrete skills for riding out strong emotion, tolerating distress, and handling relationships without things escalating. The skills are practised in daily life, so between-session support by message or phone fits naturally.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Thomas focus on?
He addresses a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, addictions, depression, relationship and intimacy-related concerns, grief, parenting, and trauma and abuse among others.
How would you describe his therapeutic style?
Thomas uses a straightforward, strengths-based approach and offers practical guidance. He combines listening with clear, action-oriented steps to help people make changes.
What is his background and experience?
He brings 40 years of experience in social work and therapy, drawing on long-term practice to inform treatment and planning.
What credentials and location apply to this therapist?
He holds KS LSCSW LSCSW 0633 and CO LCSW 00001782 and practices from Kansas.
Which languages and international clients are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and he accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
Therapy can be conducted via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are needed to begin working together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.

Next step

Talk to Thomas

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