Where John stands
- Credentials
- LMSW
- License
- LMSW, Michigan / 6801067333
- NPI
- 1124169545
- Experience
- 15 years
- Languages
- English
- Location
- Michigan
About
- CBT tools
- DBT skills
- Motivational interviewing
About John
John Shovels is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) practicing in Michigan with 15 years as a therapist. He works with adults dealing with depression, anxiety, substance misuse, and men’s issues, and he lists codependency among his additional focus areas. He also provides leadership coaching and development alongside clinical work.
He uses clear, evidence-informed methods and practical language in sessions. He often uses metaphors and pictures to make problems easier to see. He mixes straightforward conversation with moments of lightness when appropriate.
In therapy he helps people recognize patterns that keep repeating. He focuses on coping skills for stress, anger, panic, and mood problems. He also supports people working through grief, trauma, intimacy concerns, and issues tied to family of origin.
John draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy tools to teach skills for managing intense feelings and changing unhelpful thinking. He also uses Motivational Interviewing to help people find their own reasons for change and Solution-Focused Therapy to set concrete, short-term goals.
Sessions tend to be practical and directed. John treats sessions like collaborative problem-solving. He brings a coaching mindset for career or leadership topics while keeping the focus on real-life changes and daily coping strategies.
How sessions work
How CBT and DBT translate to online sessions
John often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT sessions focus on concrete exercises, thought records, and small experiments that can be done between meetings to reduce anxiety and depression.He also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT techniques include grounding practices and specific communication skills that can be practiced in daily life to handle intense emotions and conflict.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to choose methods that match their needs, goals, and preferences. That conversation can include trying different techniques and adjusting what is used based on what helps most.
The original biography does not list which session formats are offered. Please confirm the current online session options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, shorten commutes, allow quieter surroundings, or avoid being on camera when that helps. These practical benefits can make it easier to keep regular appointments and apply skills between sessions.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
15+ years
Listed in
Michigan
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does he work with related to putting others first?
He lists codependency among his focus areas and helps people struggling with people-pleasing, boundary problems, and related relationship stress.
What style of therapy does he use in sessions?
He uses practical, evidence-informed approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy alongside Motivational Interviewing and Solution-Focused techniques.
How long has he been practicing as a therapist?
He has worked as a therapist for 15 years and brings broader professional experience in social work to clinical practice.
What are his credentials and where is he located?
He is an LMSW - Licensed Master Social Worker - based in Michigan.
Does he offer sessions in other languages or to people abroad?
Sessions are offered in English and he is not accepting international clients at this time.
What formats are available for sessions?
The original biography does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How is pricing handled for therapy?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe at home, use the crisis and helpline numbers.