DeCarlos Scippio
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Florida with over 10 years of experience as a therapist and a proud U.S. Army veteran who served in Afghanistan, where I achieved the rank of Sergeant (E5). My military background gives me firsthand insight into discipline, resilience, stress, transitions, and many of the unique challenges faced by boys, men, service members, veterans, fathers, and families. I primarily work with boys, teenage males, and adult men who are experiencing behavioral challenges, anger, emotional regulation difficulties, trauma, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, grief, relationship concerns, and major life transitions. As both a clinician and a father, I understand the importance of helping boys and men build confidence, increase emotional awareness, strengthen communication, and develop healthier ways of coping with life's challenges.
His background as an Army veteran who served in Afghanistan enhances his ability to connect with clients who value structure, accountability, and resilience.
My approach is calm, supportive, practical, and straightforward. I work to create a safe and nonjudgmental space where you can speak openly about what you are experiencing without feeling criticized or pressured. Together, we focus on understanding the patterns that may be holding you back and developing practical tools you can use in everyday life. I am especially passionate about helping boys, young men, fathers, service members, and veterans strengthen emotional resilience, improve relationships, manage difficult emotions, and become more confident in how they handle challenges at home, school, work, and in their personal lives.
First session
In the first session, clients can expect a welcoming, relaxed, and supportive environment focused on understanding current concerns, strengths, and goals. DeCarlos takes time to build trust and connection, especially with boys and teen males who may initially feel hesitant about therapy. Sessions focus on identifying challenges, exploring emotions, and creating a practical, goal-oriented treatment plan tailored to the client’s needs. Clients and families often leave the first session with greater clarity, realistic goals, and a better understanding of how therapy can support positive change.
Strengths
I bring over a decade of clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and adults across outpatient, school-based, community, and residential settings. My approach is practical, supportive, and goal-oriented, with a strong focus on helping clients build skills they can use outside of therapy. I incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI) to help clients challenge unhelpful thinking patterns, explore their motivation for change, improve emotional regulation, strengthen confidence, and develop healthier coping strategies. I meet clients where they are while helping them identify their strengths, overcome barriers, and work toward meaningful goals. My experience as a U.S. Army veteran also helps me connect with clients who value structure, accountability, honesty, and resilience. I balance compassion with straightforward feedback and practical problem-solving, creating a nonjudgmental environment where clients feel supported, empowered, and motivated to make lasting emotional and behavioral changes.
Ideal clients
I am best positioned to work with boys, teen males, adult men, veterans, and fathers who are struggling with anger, behavioral challenges, emotional regulation, trauma, depression, low self-esteem, grief, or major life transitions. Many of the clients I work with have difficulty expressing emotions, managing frustration, building confidence, or navigating challenges at home, school, work, or in relationships. I work especially well with male clients who may feel misunderstood, emotionally shut down, overwhelmed, or hesitant about therapy. My approach is supportive, structured, and practical, helping clients build emotional awareness, healthier coping skills, confidence, and resilience while working toward meaningful personal growth and long-term stability.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychological treatment that has been demonstrated to be effective for a range of problems including depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug use problems, marital problems, eating disorders, and severe mental illness. Numerous research studies suggest that CBT leads to significant improvement in functioning and quality of life. In many studies, CBT has been demonstrated to be as effective as, or more effective than, other forms of psychological therapy or psychiatric medications.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT focuses on four main skill areas: Mindfulness – learning to be present and more aware of thoughts, feelings, and actions. Distress Tolerance – building tools to cope with difficult situations without making them worse. Emotion Regulation – understanding emotions and learning strategies to manage them effectively. Interpersonal Effectiveness – communicating more clearly, setting boundaries, and improving relationships.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
I use Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) to help clients focus on strengths, solutions, and achievable goals rather than staying stuck on problems. I have experience using this approach with children, adolescents, adults, and families experiencing anxiety, behavioral issues, emotional regulation difficulties, trauma-related stress, and life transitions. My approach is collaborative, supportive, and goal-oriented. I help clients identify what is already working, build confidence in their abilities, and develop practical coping strategies to improve daily functioning and overall well-being.
Location
Virtual sessions