Licensed to practice in Alabama and accepts 36 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Couples Counseling, Depression and 5 more.
(he/him)
Hello and welcome! I'm Tom Johnson, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) providing telehealth therapy to adults across Alabama. I believe every person deserves to be heard with respect, compassion, and without judgment. Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, trauma, grief, or major life transitions, we will build on your unique strengths to help you move toward the life you want. I completed my MSW degree from the University of Alabama in 1973 and have spent more than 50 years as a counselor. My career began at Bryce Hospital in Tuscaloosa, then transitioned to serving veterans and their families for 43 years as a mental health clinician with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Since retiring from the Birmingham VA several years ago, I've continued providing online therapy through several telehealth platforms and am currently an approved provider through GrowTherapy for the Department of Veterans Affairs Community Care Network. My goal is to provide a safe, supportive environment where you can openly discuss your concerns, develop practical coping strategies, and work toward lasting, meaningful change. I would be honored to be part of your journey.
Our first session will typically embrace a relaxed informal atmosphere providing an opportunity for you to address any questions or concerns you might have about our working together. While exploring our life perspectives, we'll reflect on some of the challenging issues you want to address, engaging in an open collaborative dialogue on how you feel we can best work together on helping achieve your goals. We'll explore some potential models of therapy, discuss your impression of our being a "good fit" for each other, and then look at how you'd like to schedule your future sessions.
My professional focus has been to build a clinical practice on the "3Cs", that is, competence, character, and connection. While I'm hesitant to assert that a therapist's age has any direct correlation to their counseling proficiency, I've also found that some clients may be more comfortable working with an older therapist who has a longer tenure in the clinical field. I've also learned that life itself is a valued teacher for all of us as we move forward and as a life-long Christian, I've also gained a bit of insight on recognizing the inherent weaknesses we all embrace as fallible human beings and the importance of extending grace and forgiveness not only to others, but oftentimes to ourselves as well.
I don't approach counseling from the perspective of there being either "ideal" clients or counselors. My years of working with combat veterans gave me a profound appreciation for the resilience, strength, and untapped potential that God has placed within each person, even during life's most difficult seasons. Every individual is unique and I believe effective counseling is never a one-size-fits-all process. My goal is to understand your personal strengths, experiences, and challenges, then combine my clinical experience with the abilities and resources you already possess. Together, we'll work to identify practical solutions, build on your existing strengths, and create the best opportunity for you to create meaningful and lasting change.
Other specialties
I identify as
Cash - $80 per session
Aetna
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Amerihealth Administrators
Anthem
Arlo
AvMed
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Centivo
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Evernorth
Golden Rule
GTEB
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Surest (formerly Bind)
Tufts Health/Cigna
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
During my practice in the mental health field I've found CBT to an effective therapeutic modality in working with clients on problematic life issues. This evidence-based approach is typically time-limited and focuses on helping identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors which are adversely impacting our quality of life. In the midst of some of life's greatest challenges, having the hope that "things can be different" can oftentimes be one of life's greatest motivators.
Faith based therapy
Having personally embraced Christianity for many years I always endeavor to approach my counseling practice from a perspective of love and respect toward every client I'm working with while at the same time avoiding a counseling model of proselytizing. Biblical principles are replete with so many life lessons which oftentimes can be effectively integrated into various therapeutic modalities.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a practical, goal-oriented approach that focuses on helping identify your strengths, build on what's already working, and create meaningful change. Rather than spending extensive time analyzing problems or the past, we'll work together to clarify your goals, help you to discover effective solutions, and then begin to take manageable steps toward the model of life and relationships you want. This approach is collaborative, encouraging, and designed to help you begin to make progress quickly and efficiently.
Couples Counseling
Helping couples build a healthier relational foundation often leads to stronger emotional, physical, and spiritual connection as they move forward together. Many relationships struggle with entrenched problematic communication patterns, breaches of trust, unresolved conflicts, and diminished emotional or physical intimacy. Meaningful change requires more than simply talking through problems—it involves identifying unhealthy patterns, developing new relational skills, and intentionally rebuilding connection. For many years, I've worked with couples facing these challenges and have been encouraged by the positive feedback they've shared regarding their progress. My approach is active, practical, and goal-oriented, helping couples gain insight, structure, and concrete tools to help restore trust, improve communication, strengthen intimacy, and build healthier, more resilient relationships.
4 ratings with written reviews
July 9, 2026
My appointment with Tom was very enjoyable. I needed someone who is like a dad to give me guidance on adult challenges and I believe he and I will work well together.
May 13, 2026
He has experience with veterans and trauma of all types and he understands and embraces the holistic approach to Christian assistance. Very gracious and understanding. I felt like he really heard what I had to say and had good questions.
March 26, 2026
I am a female veteran who previously worked with Tom through the Veterans Administration prior to his retirement, Once learning of his work with GrowTherapy, I was able to easily schedule an online session and found it to be just as effective as in-person. Tom’s intelligence and rapport with veterans along with his use of proven treatment modalities is what brought me to GrowTherapy for the first time.