- Direct conversational style
- Practical coping tools
- Goal-focused work
About John
John Shovels is a licensed master social worker (LMSW) who offers grounded, no-nonsense support for adults facing stress, anxiety, depression, substance misuse, and men's issues. He writes plainly and meets people where they are. His approach is warm and practical, mixing direct conversation with simple tools to help people make changes.
John draws on about 15 years of experience as a practicing therapist and a broader career in social work. He uses common-sense methods that help identify patterns that keep people stuck. Sessions often include metaphors and concrete images to make problems easier to understand and tackle.
He blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy techniques to help with mood problems, panic, and managing strong emotions. Motivational Interviewing helps when someone is unsure about change, and Solution-Focused Therapy supports quick, goal-oriented work.
John also offers leadership coaching and helps people sort career and life-purpose questions. He listens for recurring themes like family of origin issues, codependency, guilt, and isolation, and helps clients build clearer boundaries and healthier habits.
People who prefer a direct, down-to-earth conversation may find his style helpful. He values humor and practical exercises, and he aims to help clients leave sessions with useful next steps. John practices in Michigan and conducts therapy in English.
How his approaches fit into online work
John commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy in his work. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing them with real-life experiments to change mood and behavior, which can help with anxiety, depression, and panic. DBT teaches practical skills for managing intense emotions and improving distress tolerance, useful for anger, mood swings, and relationship stress.Finding the right approach is part of the process. He will work with each person to choose methods that match their goals and preferences. That choice is collaborative and can shift as needs change.
The practical benefits of online therapy often include fitting sessions more easily into a busy week and reducing travel time. Online work can make it simpler to check in during a work break or to use shorter sessions when needed. Confirm the session formats offered before booking so expectations match what the therapist provides.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
15+ years
Credentials
Michigan
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does John address?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, anger, trauma and related issues such as grief, intimacy, self-esteem, and career questions.
How would you describe his therapy style?
Sessions are practical and down-to-earth, using plain talk, metaphors, and exercises. The focus is on understanding patterns and building actionable steps.
What is his background and experience?
John has 15 years of experience as a practicing therapist and a longer career in social work. He is a husband and a parent, which he notes shapes his perspective.
What credentials does he hold and where is he based?
He holds an LMSW, which stands for Licensed Master Social Worker, and he practices in Michigan.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with him?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are fees and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.