Scott Underwood, LCSW

Scott Underwood is a licensed clinical social worker with 23 years of experience. He began working in the field with the Army as a Behavioral Science Specialist in 1984 and has since practiced in community mental health, psychiatric hospitals, and private practice. He has also provided services to active duty Air Force personnel at Nellis and Creech Air Force Base.

He focuses on practical problem solving for stress, anxiety, trauma, depression, anger, and related concerns. He helps people who are highly functional but facing a rough patch, as well as those with more serious conditions. He also addresses relationship and family problems, parenting stresses, grief, career concerns, and midlife transitions.

Scott favors a straightforward style and believes counseling does not need to be heavy or intimidating. He often uses measured humor to help release tension when appropriate. He encourages new clients to come with an idea of what they want to get from therapy so sessions can be focused and productive.

He is comfortable providing short-term goals or longer-term work depending on the client’s needs. He also offers assessment, consultation, and treatment recommendations when an evaluation is requested. He is willing to adapt if a client’s goals change during therapy.

Scott practices in California and communicates in English. He accepts international clients. To begin, prospective clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule sessions based on his availability.

How Scott Uses Evidence-Based Approaches Online

Scott uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. CBT is practical and goal-oriented, often including small, doable exercises between sessions to reduce anxiety or depression.

He also uses Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, a trauma-focused method that helps people process disturbing memories and reduce their emotional charge. EMDR is often used for post-traumatic stress and related trauma symptoms.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Scott will talk with each client about symptoms, goals, and preferences, then suggest a path forward. He adapts plans over time if needs or goals change, and he can aim for short-term focused work or longer-term support depending on what the client wants.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm the specific formats available before booking. The original biography mentions teleconference, phone, and chat as methods he has used, but you should check current options. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time, helping people keep consistent appointments and continue work between sessions.