LMHC, 20 years of experience
Hi, I’m Jonathan. I understand that life can feel heavy when you’re facing anxiety, trauma, grief, or relationship struggles. Reaching out for help can be a difficult step, but you don’t have to walk through these challenges alone. My goal is to provide a safe and welcoming space where you feel heard, supported, and understood. Together, we can explore the struggles you’re carrying, uncover your inner strengths, and find ways to create lasting change. I believe healing happens through compassion, trust, and honest connection, and it would be my privilege to walk alongside you as you discover hope and renewal in your life.
In your first session with me, you can expect a warm and welcoming environment where you are free to share at your own pace. There is no pressure to have everything figured out; we’ll simply begin by talking about what brings you to therapy and what you hope to find here. I’ll take time to learn about your background, current challenges, and the goals that matter most to you. Together, we’ll begin shaping a path forward that feels supportive and tailored to your needs. This first meeting is also about building trust and helping you feel comfortable in the process. My priority is to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you feel heard, respected, and encouraged as we start your journey toward healing and growth.
What makes my approach unique is the balance of professional expertise, personal experience, and compassionate care I bring to every session. My work is trauma-informed and client-centered, meaning your story and your needs always come first. With specialized training in helping people work through anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship challenges, I draw on practical tools and strategies while also creating space for deeper healing. For clients who desire it, my background in ministry allows me to integrate faith and spiritual guidance with evidence-based methods, offering a holistic path to growth. As a military veteran, I also carry a special understanding of the challenges faced by service members and their families, from combat trauma to reintegration struggles. Above all, I strive to create a safe and welcoming space where you feel heard, valued, and supported as you move toward lasting resilience and transformation.
I am best positioned to serve individuals who are navigating the weight of trauma, anxiety, depression, or relational struggles and are seeking a safe place to begin healing. Many of the people I work with are carrying the effects of PTSD, grief, or loss, and are ready to find new ways to move forward with hope. Because of my background in both ministry and military service, I also have a special heart for veterans, service members, faith-based clients, and their families. My goal is to walk alongside you with compassion and respect, helping you overcome barriers, reconnect with your strengths, and create meaningful, lasting change in your life.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a proven approach that helps individuals manage difficult thoughts and emotions while building a fulfilling life based on their values. Instead of trying to eliminate distressing feelings, ACT teaches skills to accept them, reduce their impact, and take meaningful action. This therapy is especially helpful for those struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or self-doubt from past experiences. By focusing on mindfulness and personal values, ACT empowers individuals to move forward with confidence and resilience.
CBT is used in practice to help clients identify and challenge negative thought patterns, replacing them with more balanced and adaptive beliefs. Techniques such as cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, and mindfulness improve emotional regulation, resilience, and motivation. By setting realistic goals and using structured interventions like exposure therapy and journaling, clients develop long-term coping strategies to manage anxiety, depression, and trauma-related distress.
The Gottman Method is used in practice to strengthen relationships by improving communication, conflict resolution, and emotional connection between partners. It involves techniques such as **the "Love Maps" exercise**, **the Four Horsemen antidotes**, and **building a culture of appreciation** to foster trust and intimacy. By helping couples recognize negative interaction patterns and replace them with positive behaviors, the method enhances relationship stability and satisfaction.
Christian counseling integrates biblical principles with psychological techniques to address emotional and spiritual well-being. It helps clients find healing and guidance through prayer, scripture, and faith-based encouragement while also using evidence-based methods like CBT or solution-focused therapy. By fostering a Christ-centered perspective, it promotes resilience, forgiveness, and personal growth, helping clients align their thoughts and behaviors with their faith.
3 ratings with written reviews
August 16, 2025
Johnathan Pawson made us feel safe and seen from day one, gently offering simple tools—scripts, check-ins, a bit of homework—that turned hard talks into real progress. We leave each session lighter, kinder to each other, and genuinely hopeful.
July 27, 2025
Review will only let me choose two options, but he’s very open minded, intelligent, warm and direct and humorous as well. Highly recommend & very excited to continue working with him.
June 26, 2025
Johnathan was very informative about his experience and gave us some great options on how to move forward.