John DeCarlis, LISW, LSCSW

John DeCarlis is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, depression, and related struggles. He speaks plainly and takes a direct, approachable style in sessions. With 26 years of experience, he focuses on practical skill-building and clear steps that clients can use right away.

He tailors conversations and plans to each person’s situation instead of relying on labels. He emphasizes acceptance - learning what can’t be controlled and committing to meaningful actions - alongside cognitive tools to change unhelpful patterns. Hypnotherapy and attachment-informed ideas are also part of his toolbox when they fit a client’s needs.

DeCarlis draws on long experience with mood and trauma-related concerns, workplace and career issues, and the complex effects of loss and relationship strain. He has a background as a retired Army officer and has worked with post-deployment military, and he is comfortable addressing veteran and first responder issues.

He holds a master’s degree from the University of Maryland School of Social Work and maintains LISW and LSCSW credentials. The work he does centers on identifying strengths you may not see and building practical skills to improve daily life.

People who choose him can expect a collaborative process that focuses on goals they name and on developing habits that support those goals. To begin, clients use the site’s matching flow and schedule according to availability.

How his approaches fit into online therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then choose actions that match their values. It can be useful for anxiety, depression, addictions, and for coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and testing them with practical behavioral experiments to reduce symptoms like panic, low mood, or sleep disruption. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationship patterns affect current connections and can help people improve intimacy and manage relationship stress.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to pick methods that match their goals, needs, and preferences. That might mean starting with ACT skills, adding CBT tools for specific patterns, or bringing in attachment ideas when relationship history is central.

Confirm current session options before booking so you know which online formats are offered. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, shorten commute time, and allow for brief check-ins during a workday when needed. Many people find that practical skills and homework translate well to remote sessions, and the therapist will help you adapt exercises to your everyday routines.