- Men's wellbeing focus
- Solution-minded approach
- Leadership coaching available
About John
John Shovels is a licensed master social worker (LMSW) based in Michigan who focuses on men's wellbeing and related concerns. He offers straightforward, down-to-earth support for adults wrestling with stress, anxiety, depression, substance misuse, and questions about purpose or identity. John aims to help people build clearer coping habits and stronger self-understanding in practical ways.
John frames sessions around each person's needs. He listens for patterns that get in the way and works with clients to develop small, usable steps forward. He sometimes uses humor, metaphors, and visual language to make difficult topics easier to talk about. The goal is steady progress rather than quick fixes.
With 15 years as a practicing therapist and the LMSW credential, John brings sustained experience supporting adults through life transitions and mood concerns. He also provides leadership coaching and development to people looking to grow professionally alongside personal change. His background includes training at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.
John commonly helps people address anger, grief, intimacy-related worries, and relationship communication problems. He also works with issues such as codependency, fatherhood questions, isolation, and midlife challenges. He combines a practical focus with attention to emotional patterns that keep problems recurring.
Sessions tend to be collaborative and solution-minded. John will help you set clear goals, try out new skills between meetings, and adjust the plan as you learn what works. He emphasizes achievable steps so progress feels manageable and relevant to everyday life.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online work
John commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing in session. CBT focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and testing small behavior changes to reduce symptoms like anxiety or depression. Motivational Interviewing helps people clarify what matters to them and build motivation for change, which is useful for substance misuse and other ambivalent goals.Finding the right approach is part of the process. John works collaboratively to decide which methods fit a person's goals and preferences, and he adjusts strategies as progress is made. Clients and therapist set concrete goals together and try small steps between sessions to see what helps.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current online options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life by removing travel time, allowing shorter check-ins when needed, and offering options that match your schedule. Talk with John about scheduling, pacing, and whether a particular online arrangement would suit your daily routine.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
15+ years
Credentials
Michigan
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What issues does John commonly address?
He helps with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, anger, grief, intimacy concerns, and men's issues among other challenges.
What is John’s general approach in sessions?
Sessions are practical and collaborative, using short-term goals, skill practice, and conversational tools like metaphors and humor to make change easier.
How long has John worked in this field?
He has 15 years of experience as a practicing therapist and additional background from training at Wayne State University.
What credential does John hold and where is he based?
He holds an LMSW, which stands for Licensed Master Social Worker, and practices in Michigan.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does John take clients from other countries?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
How are fees and payment handled?
Costs vary with location and scheduling. Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are involved to begin working together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.