John DeCarlis , LISW, LSCSW

John DeCarlis is a licensed clinical social worker with 26 years of experience who brings a direct, approachable, and interactive style to therapy. He works from a strengths-based perspective that emphasizes practical skill-building and tailors conversations and treatment plans to each person's unique needs. His work focuses on helping clients accept what is outside their control and commit to actions that make life more meaningful, with the overall aim of supporting richer, more fulfilling lives.

He has deep experience addressing depression, anxiety, stress, grief and loss, relationship and family issues, trauma, and workplace or career concerns. As a retired Army officer who previously provided care to post-deployment service members, he has particular experience supporting veterans and addressing military-related adjustments. Throughout his practice he emphasizes respect, admiration, and partnership, believing that real change grows from clients' own strengths and from collaborative effort.

John integrates several evidence-informed methods including acceptance and commitment principles, cognitive behavioral strategies, client-centered techniques, attachment-focused ideas, and hypnotherapy when appropriate. He holds advanced clinical social work licensure - LISW and LSCSW - which indicate advanced clinical social work credentials, and he earned a master’s degree from the University of Maryland School of Social Work. Based in Ohio, he engages clients with practical tools and a focus on measurable skill development.

Approaches That Translate Well to Online Care

John uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients notice and accept difficult thoughts and feelings while choosing actions that reflect their values. ACT can be useful for people coping with anxiety, depression, or life transitions by shifting focus from avoidance to meaningful engagement.

He also draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which works by identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and testing them through practical exercises. CBT is often helpful for managing symptoms of anxiety, depression, panic, and stress through skill-building and behavioral changes.

Attachment-Based ideas guide his work on relationship patterns, intimacy concerns, and family dynamics by exploring how early connections shape present interactions and emotional needs. This approach can support clients working through relationship repair, parenting challenges, or attachment-related difficulties.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. John collaborates with each person to determine which methods align with their goals, preferences, and circumstances, adjusting strategies as progress unfolds. He frames therapy as a partnership focused on practical skills and meaningful change.

Online sessions are available by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexible ways to fit therapy into busy lives. These options make it easier to access licensed professionals from different locations and to choose the format that best supports ongoing engagement and consistency.