John Shovels

John Shovels is an LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker) with 15 years as a therapist. He focuses on adults who feel stuck, isolated, or overwhelmed and wants to help people reconnect with what matters. He aims to make sessions straightforward and grounded so concerns feel more manageable.

He draws on practical methods to help with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, anger, and relationship and intimacy concerns. He also supports people facing grief, midlife shifts, career questions, and feelings of emptiness or low self‑esteem. Isolation and loneliness are noted areas he pays attention to when they show up in a person’s life.

In session he uses clear tools and everyday language. He often uses metaphors or drawings to make problems easier to see and to plan small, doable steps forward. Humor is sometimes part of the work when it helps a person feel more at ease.

John describes therapy as a collaborative effort. He helps people identify unhelpful patterns and tries to build stronger coping skills that fit each person’s life. He also offers coaching around leadership and career development alongside clinical concerns.

He practices in Michigan and conducts sessions in English. To get started, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule sessions based on his availability.

Approaches that guide online sessions

John uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) as central tools. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and trying different actions to reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression. DBT teaches practical skills for managing strong emotions, improving distress tolerance, and strengthening relationships.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. John treats therapy as a collaborative process and will help weigh methods based on a person’s goals, challenges, and preferences. Together they try strategies and adjust as progress or needs change.

Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, such as scheduling around work or caregiving. It can also allow for brief check-ins when a full in‑person visit would be difficult. Specific session formats are not listed here, so confirm current session options before booking to see which delivery methods are offered.