Mark Sikora , LICSW

Mark Sikora is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) based in Washington with 40 years of professional experience supporting people through a wide range of challenges. He has worked extensively with individuals coping with depression, anxiety and panic, bipolar and psychotic mental health conditions, and the aftereffects of critical incidents encountered in street settings. He brings an informed understanding of how grieving can shift over time and why that awareness matters in treatment.

Mark approaches therapy from the standpoint that each person is the expert on their own life story and already possesses strengths that can be mobilized to address current difficulties. He aims to help clients recognize and build on those strengths while developing practical tools to manage symptoms and improve day-to-day functioning. Taking the first step toward greater fulfillment and well-being often requires courage, and he positions himself as a supportive guide throughout that process.

Throughout his career Mark has combined clinical experience with a collaborative, respectful style to help people navigate complex relationship, family, trauma, mood, and stress-related concerns. He emphasizes a strengths-based, person-centered approach that seeks to meet clients where they are and work toward goals that matter to them.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Mark integrates several evidence-informed approaches to help clients work through emotional pain and life challenges. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying personal values, learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings, and taking committed action toward a meaningful life - it can be useful for anxiety, depression, and patterns that keep people stuck. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, offering practical skills for managing mood, panic, and stress. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy, active listening, and collaboration so clients feel heard and supported while exploring their goals and choices.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Mark works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and personal preferences, and he adjusts the approach over time as progress and circumstances evolve.

Online therapy options - including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging - make it easier to access care from home or other convenient locations. These formats provide flexibility in scheduling, allow therapy to continue when in-person visits are difficult, and give clients multiple ways to connect with a licensed professional in ways that suit their life and pace.