John Wood, LCSW

John Wood is a Montana-based licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with five years of experience. He focuses on helping people who are feeling stressed, anxious, or low in confidence. He also supports those dealing with grief and relationship strain. John aims to make the first step feel manageable for people who are nervous about starting therapy.

In sessions he creates a calm, nonjudgmental space where people can talk through what matters to them. He listens first and helps clients set clear, practical goals they can use between sessions. He uses tools from cognitive behavioral therapy to spot unhelpful thinking and try different actions that change how people feel.

John also draws on client-centered and existential approaches to honor each person’s values and life questions. Mindfulness techniques are used to help clients notice emotions and reduce reactivity. Motivational interviewing supports people who want to build or sustain change in their lives.

Typical concerns he addresses include compassion fatigue, caregiver stress, communication problems, and issues around fatherhood and men’s roles. He also works with people facing trauma, post-traumatic stress, isolation, and discrimination-related stress. Seasonal mood shifts and emptiness or life-purpose questions are within his focus as well.

Sessions are offered in English and delivered remotely to people in Montana. John aims to match therapeutic methods to each person’s goals and pace, keeping work practical and grounded.

How therapeutic approaches work online

John uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help people notice patterns of thought that increase stress and anxiety, then test small behavioral changes to see if feelings shift. Client-centered therapy is also part of his work, which means he focuses on listening openly and helping people find their own solutions rather than directing them. Existential ideas come into play when clients are wrestling with life purpose, meaning, or big decisions; those conversations look at values and choices rather than quick fixes.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. John will talk with each person about goals, preferred pace, and what has or hasn’t worked before. Together they choose methods and tweak tasks so the work fits daily life and personal values.

Online sessions are offered by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility. Video calls are useful for deeper conversations that benefit from visual cues. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging are suited to brief updates, homework support, and people who prefer typing. These options help fit therapy into work, parenting, or other busy schedules while keeping the focus on consistent progress.