John DeCarlis, LISW, LSCSW

John DeCarlis, LISW, LSCSW, helps people who are feeling stuck by focusing on practical steps and new skills. He speaks plainly and works in an approachable, interactive way. He aims to help clients accept what they cannot control and take actions that improve daily life.

He draws on 26 years of experience and a master’s degree from the University of Maryland School of Social Work. His work often focuses on stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, relationship strain, trauma, and career or workplace issues. As a retired Army officer, he also has background working with veterans and post-deployment concerns.

Sessions emphasize strengths and skill-building rather than labels. Conversations are tailored to each person’s situation, with straightforward tools to manage emotions, improve sleep, and handle anger or panic. Hypnotherapy is available alongside more talk-based approaches when appropriate.

John uses methods from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice unhelpful patterns and try different actions. Attachment-based and client-centered ideas guide how he listens and responds to relationship issues and intimacy-related struggles.

He frames therapy as a partnership where the client’s choices and efforts drive change. The focus is on clear goals, practical techniques, and steady progress toward a more meaningful life.

How his approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and choose values-based actions. It is useful for anxiety, depression, and life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and then practicing new responses. It often helps with panic, phobias, sleep issues, and mood concerns. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at patterns in close relationships and how early bonds shape trust and intimacy, which can be helpful for relationship strain and intimacy-related issues.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, preferences, and what feels workable. Together they decide which methods to use and adjust them over time based on what helps.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm the specific session formats before booking since they are not listed in the profile. Online work can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. Therapists can teach breathing and grounding exercises over video, guide behavioral experiments, and coach on communication skills during sessions to support real-world changes.