John DeCarlis, LISW, LSCSW

John DeCarlis, LISW, LSCSW, focuses on helping people who feel stuck by teaching practical skills and clear strategies. He keeps sessions direct and approachable so clients can get to work on real problems. Many come for help with anxiety, depression, stress, grief, addiction, or difficulties at work and in relationships.

He draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to identify unhelpful thinking and shift behavior. He also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ideas to help people accept what they cannot control and choose values-based actions. Attachment-based and client-centered approaches guide how he builds a respectful, collaborative relationship in sessions.

John has been practicing for 26 years and holds a master’s degree from the University of Maryland School of Social Work. His credentials include LISW and LSCSW and he is licensed to practice in Ohio and other states listed in his background. That long experience informs a straightforward, skills-focused way of working.

In sessions he helps people build skills for managing panic, insomnia, anger, and the stress of life changes. He also supports those dealing with trauma, grief, parenting strain, and issues related to aging or military service. The work typically mixes practical exercises, talk, and homework to reinforce new habits.

John aims to tailor plans to each person’s needs and values. He emphasizes partnership and respect, and he helps clients notice personal strengths they may not see. To begin, he asks people to share their story so together they can create a focused, doable plan.

Practical approaches for online therapy and skill building

John often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT sessions focus on concrete strategies such as thought records, behavior experiments, and step-by-step plans to reduce anxiety, panic, and mood symptoms. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is another approach he uses to help clients accept difficult feelings while committing to actions that match their values, which can be useful for stress, grief, and life transitions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. He treats therapy as a collaboration and will help clients try methods and decide what fits their goals and preferences. That process includes checking what feels useful and adapting techniques as needed to match each person’s life and challenges.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video sessions allow face-to-face work and exercises, phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited, live chat supports quick check-ins, and text messaging lets clients send shorter updates or get brief coaching between appointments. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule and keep progress moving forward.