Hello to all prospective clients! I'm Tom Johnson/LICSW, currently licensed for independent clinical practice in Alabama. Following graduation with a MSW from the University of Alabama School of Social Work in 1973, for the next several years I was a supervisory social worker at Bryce State Hospital in Tuscaloosa. I then transitioned to a clinical social worker position with the US Department of Veterans Affairs as part of an inter-disciplinary clinical team and for the next 43 years had the privilege and honor of providing individual and group counseling services to thousands of veterans, both male and female, combat and non-combat related. Following my VA retirement in 2020, I've continued telehealth counseling with Alabama clients through several online platforms.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
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.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our 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.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I don't approach clinical practice from a perspective of there being either "ideal" clients or counselors. Although my years of clinical experience with the VA instilled a special affinity toward working with combat veterans and the problematic adjustment issues many faced following their return from deployment, this experience also provided a deeper insight into how God can instill within each of us an inventory of resources awaiting the opportunity of our tapping into them. I've also reached a deeper awareness of the uniqueness of each individual and my endeavor as a mental health provider is to embrace how I can best enmesh my own practice skills with those clients seeking counseling resources. I'm not a counselor who will typically tell you "what you need to do", rather, I will embrace a consistent and respectful perspective of mutual collaboration throughout the course of our working together to help you create an opportunity for your most positive outcome as you move forward.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
During my practice in the mental health field I've found CBT to be one of the most effective therapeutic modalities 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.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I've found the psychological flexibility that ACT offers to clients to be quite helpful in providing them an opportunity to embrace emotional openness and the ability to better align their thoughts and behaviors with their life values and goals.
Couples Counseling
Working with couples in helping them build a better relational foundation can oftentimes facilitate a stronger physical, emotional, and spiritual connection as they move forward in therapy. Many relationships remain adversely impacted by dysfunctional communication patterns, breaches in trust, and a lack of emotional and physical intimacy and a therapist's ability to effectively facilitate shifts in these dynamics is crucial to progress being made. Fortunately, I have many positive reviews from couples regarding our having worked together in such relational areas and feel that I can continue to remain a resource in this practice area.