Mark Butkus, LISW-CP, LCSW

Mark Butkus is a licensed clinical social worker with 18 years of experience. He holds LISW-CP in South Carolina and LCSW in Maine and focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, and trauma. He speaks English and also accepts international clients.

He aims to make sessions a calm place to talk without judgment. He encourages small steps and recognizes that signing up for therapy often takes courage. He works to build trust so people can share thoughts and feelings honestly.

His approach draws on client-centered methods that focus on each person's needs. He also uses cognitive behavioral techniques to help change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Mindfulness methods are used to improve attention and reduce reactivity.

Mark has supported people through grief, anger, depression, and addiction concerns. He also helps with sleep problems, parenting stress, low self-esteem, career issues, and coping with big life changes. He lists work with first responders and Veteran and Armed Forces issues as focus areas.

In-session he keeps language straightforward and practical. He collaborates on goals and offers concrete strategies to practice between meetings. He prefers to meet people where they are and adjust the pace based on what feels helpful.

How therapy approaches translate to online work

Client-centered therapy focuses on the person in front of the therapist. Sessions emphasize listening, empathy, and helping people set their own goals. This approach is helpful for people who need a calm, accepting place to talk about stress, grief, or relationship concerns.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts and behaviors connect. It uses practical exercises and homework to change patterns that contribute to anxiety, depression, or sleep problems. CBT tends to be structured and goal-oriented, which many people find useful when working remotely.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. Together they decide whether client-centered, CBT, or mindfulness strategies are the best fit and adjust the plan over time.

The biography does not specify which online session formats are offered, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Therapists and licensed professionals can also assign exercises to practice between sessions, which helps maintain progress between meetings.