Hello, my name is David Johnson and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Northern California. I received my Masters Degree from California State University, Sacramento in 2016 and have been practicing for approximately 8 years now. I work primarily with adults and also have some experience working with adolescents in school settings that struggle with behavioral or emotional challenges. I have worked with a variety of people to assist them in reducing problem behaviors, increase coping skills, improve mindfulness and emotion regulation or distress tolerance skills and help people move towards their long term goals.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session we will spend some time on introductions and discuss the reasons and motivation for seeking therapy. We will discuss goals and some basic history so that I can develop a plan for therapy moving forward. I know that therapy can be intimidating for people who are trying it for the first time so I try to meet my clients where they are and progress at their pace.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I feel like my greatest strengths are my ability to develop rapport with my clients and help them feel valued seen and understood. I will do my best to approach every session in an open, accepting, and nonjudgmental manner. I understand that seeking therapy can be scary, possibly confusing and requires courage and vulnerability so I try my best to keep that in mind and approach every session in a gentle and easy going manner.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I really enjoy working with adults and adolescents who may be struggling with relationships, with problem solving, or with emotion regulation in their every day life. I find it rewarding to see my clients learn new ways of coping which helps them improve their relationships and helps them move towards their goals in life.
About David Johnson
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I have approximately 8 years of experience and training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. I use it in both individual and group therapy to assist in helping clients achieve desired behavior change and help reduce problem or target behaviors. My training and experience has been with adults with serious mental illnesses that struggle with emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance or mindfulness to current emotions. I have used DBT in both Comprehensive, inpatient programs and as a stand alone intervention to assist clients in achieving goals and improving their lives.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
In addition to the years of experience and training I have in DBT, I also have approximately 8 years of training in Mindfulness, including leading mindfulness based treatment groups, and individual mindfulness exercises to assist clients in living life in the present moment. Mindfulness based therapy can be a helpful treatment modality for assisting clients to live their life more fully and completely in the present moment. Mindfulness based therapy can be helpful in treating a wide variety of conditions and can help clients become more attune with their emotions, the environment, their relationships and their behaviors so it is a helpful treatment intervention in many different context.
Motivational Interviewing
I use motivational interviewing as a collaborative, person centered counseling technique that helps to both develop rapport and enhance clients’ motivation for change in whatever way they see fit. I do my best to maintain a nonjudgmental approach and not impose solutions for various problems, but rather collaborate with clients and walk beside them as they find their own solutions. I think that by collaborating and supporting clients, they will ultimately feel a greater sense of confidence and autonomy. I use motivational interviewing in many different contexts and situations as I feel it is helpful in expressing empathy and empowering the clients that I see.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
Many of my clients come to see me for longer term, supportive therapy or for help in changing problem behaviors, while others need assistance with coaching or short term counseling that might have a narrow focus. Short term Solution Focused Therapy generally is goal directed therapy that is more focused on problem solving and exploring the origins of the problem(s) that is most important to the client. I have many years of experience working with this treatment modality and find that many of the other training and specialties I have experience with complement this intervention well.