About John
John Shovels is a licensed master social worker who focuses on helping adults manage stress and anxiety. He aims to make therapy straightforward and practical. He speaks plainly and uses everyday examples to help people understand what’s happening and what to try next.
John has worked as a therapist for 15 years and practices in Michigan. He also brings experience with depression, addictions, anger, grief, intimacy-related struggles, and career concerns.
Background and approach
He offers coaching for leadership and life transitions alongside traditional therapy work. In sessions he uses clear tools and simple metaphors to map problems and test solutions. He leans on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy techniques to teach coping skills.
He also draws on motivational interviewing and solution-focused methods to set achievable goals and boost motivation. John builds a calm, direct environment where people can talk about painful topics without jargon. He pays attention to patterns that keep problems going and helps people try small changes that add up.
A bit of humor and concrete pictures often make difficult ideas easier to put into practice. People who want practical steps, clear goals, and steady support may find his style useful. He works with adults who are ready to look at thinking patterns, behavior, and choices.
The aim is stronger coping, clearer direction, and gradual, lasting change.
Approaches and online options for practical change
John commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy in online work. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and testing small behavior changes to reduce anxiety or depression. DBT teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills to handle intense feelings and relationship stress.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will listen to your goals, try out methods that fit your needs, and adjust the plan over time. Together you will decide whether skill practice, motivational work, or brief solution-focused steps feel most useful.
Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video lets you talk face to face when visual cues help. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can be easier during a short break. Live chat and text messaging allow for shorter check-ins and written reflections between sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life while using the same therapeutic tools and exercises as in traditional sessions.
Questions people ask
What kinds of concerns does John address?
How would he describe his therapeutic style?
What experience does he bring to this work?
What credentials and location are listed?
Which languages are available for sessions?
What session formats are offered online?
How is cost handled for sessions?
What steps should someone take to begin working with him?
What this therapist works with
Most often
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Anger management
Also listed
- Bipolar disorder
- Career difficulties
- Co-morbidity
- Coaching
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Grief
- Guilt and shame
- Intimacy-related issues
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Mood disorders
- Narcissism
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Personality disorders
- Relationship issues
- Self esteem
- Self-harm
- Trauma and abuse
- Workplace issues
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 15 years
- Licensed
- Michigan
- Languages
- English
We will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you.