Greetings, my name is John Luke. I am a licensed clinical social worker and specialize in helping people to effectively manage anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns using cognitive behavioral techniques. I have worked with a range of populations, nearly all ages, and also have experience with addiction treatment and life-coaching. I work with people to develop insight into the source of their problems, how their core beliefs about the world might be hindering their progress, and focus on their natural strengths to overcome those barriers with practical skills that generate sustainable change. Some of my other specialties include short-term, solution-focused therapy; cognitive behavioral therapy techniques; psychodynamic approaches; and marital counseling. Some of the problems I am particularly keen on solving with my clients include issues with self-image and confidence; dating and relationships; boundary-setting and assertive communication; as well as general anxiety management; and learning to identify and productively resolve emotional unrest. I am also very experienced in cognitive restructuring, which is just a fancy way of saying helping to change the way a person thinks about the world and their place in it. I also enjoy aiding people in goal setting and identification, meaning-making, and navigating family conflicts. If you feel any of this could be helpful or useful to you, please do not hesitate to reach out! (Note: I do work with couples, but only on a cash-pay basis. Also, I only work with ages 18+)
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
The first session is called an intake, and at this session we primarily focus on collecting background and setting expectations and goals for the therapy. Many people enter therapy for one problem and find that they wish to continue it to resolve others; this is normal and a natural consequence of the kind of ‘life-auditing’ that therapy facilitates. Session frequency ranges but usually clients start out with weekly appointments, going 4 to 5 times and then tapering to once every other week as skills and insights build. This means that for clients with practical, easily identifiable concerns, treatment may last anywhere from 3 to 6 months. For some people, treatment may be as short as a few weeks, while for those engaged in trauma-focused or psychoanalytic work, treatment may last for well beyond a year.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My biggest strength as a therapist is my ability to productively collaborate and engage with clients in a way that satisfies emotional, psychological, and practical needs.