Markus Douglas, LISW

Markus Douglas is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) with 25 years of experience. He focuses on practical steps that help people move forward from addiction, anxiety, depression, and big life changes.

He has long experience in the drug and alcohol field and many years supporting people with other mental health concerns. Markus uses clear, goal-oriented methods so conversations lead to change. Sessions center on what is most pressing for the person in front of him and on small, doable steps that build momentum.

Markus draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors. He also uses Motivational Interviewing to strengthen readiness for change and Solution-Focused Therapy to set short-term goals and track progress. Mindfulness techniques are woven in when useful to manage stress and intense emotions.

In a typical session, he talks through current problems, identifies a couple of practical strategies, and checks how those strategies are working over time. He aims for straightforward language and tools people can use between sessions.

People who want clear structure and an emphasis on action may find his style a good fit. Markus works with a wide range of concerns including relationship strain, grief, workplace stress, trauma and abuse, anger, intimacy issues, ADHD, and recovery from substance use.

How Markus' Approaches Work Online

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps people notice patterns in their thoughts and behaviors and then try different actions to break unhelpful cycles. It is often used for anxiety, depression, stress, and some relationship difficulties. Motivational Interviewing focuses on strengthening a person's own reasons for change by exploring ambivalence and building commitment. It is commonly helpful for substance use and for starting new habits or routines.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Markus will talk with each person about their goals, preferences, and what has worked or not worked in the past. Together they shape a plan that blends methods and adjusts as progress is made.

Online sessions can fit around work, school, or caregiving. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when visual cues matter. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging are useful for quick questions, brief coaching between sessions, or when someone prefers writing to speaking. These options give flexibility while keeping the work focused on achievable steps and measurable progress.