John Shovels, LMSW

John Shovels is a licensed master social worker (LMSW) who focuses on helping adults facing stress, anxiety, depression, substance misuse, and midlife concerns. He aims to make therapy straightforward and useful, creating a calm space to talk through hard moments and build clearer ways to move forward.

He works with people who want to understand patterns that keep showing up in their lives. Sessions often include practical strategies for coping, clearer problem-solving, and occasional humor to keep progress human and relatable. Metaphors and simple visual examples are tools he uses to make ideas easier to use in daily life.

With 15 years as a practicing therapist, he also brings experience in leadership coaching and career development for those wanting direction at work. He emphasizes individual needs and tailors his approach to what each person is trying to change or learn.

John trained at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, and lives in Michigan with his family. He describes himself as open minded and steady, aiming to help clients get stronger and create practical change.

People reach out for help with grief, relationship struggles, anger, addictions, self-esteem, and life transitions like midlife shifts. He focuses on helping people recognize underlying patterns, set realistic goals, and try concrete steps between sessions.

How his approaches translate to online work

John commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing in practical ways. CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which helps with anxiety, depression, panic, and mood shifts. Motivational Interviewing centers on what matters to the client and helps build motivation for change, often useful for addictions and ambivalence about life changes.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. He will collaborate with each person to decide which tools fit best based on goals, challenges, and preferences. That might mean trying CBT techniques for a few weeks and then adding motivational strategies if needed.

Session logistics should be confirmed before booking since formats are not specified here. Ask about available session types when you sign up. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. It also makes it simpler to maintain continuity during life transitions and to work on real-time coping strategies between work or family responsibilities.