Thomas Johnson, LICSW

Thomas Johnson is a licensed clinical social worker (LICSW) practicing in Alabama with more than five decades of experience. He uses practical, person-centered methods to help people who are navigating stress, anxiety, loss, and life transitions. His approach aims to build trust and a clear plan for change that fits each person’s situation.

After graduating from the University of Alabama School of Social Work in 1973, he began work in a psychiatric inpatient setting supporting people with chronic mental health needs. He then joined the Department of Veterans Affairs in 1977, offering outpatient assessment and treatment as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Over 43 years he provided individual and group counseling for thousands of veterans, addressing both combat and non-combat related concerns. That experience shaped his interest in trauma, post-traumatic stress, addictions, and the wide range of adjustment issues that affect daily life.

Thomas blends straightforward techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy with an emphasis on empathy and client input. He aims to find the approaches that match each person’s goals and preferences rather than using a single fixed method.

People who meet with him can expect clear conversation about goals, practical steps for change, and regular check-ins on progress. He encourages questions and collaboration so the plan can be adjusted as life and needs evolve.

How these approaches guide online work

Thomas often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify unhelpful thinking and try different behaviors. CBT is practical and focused, which can help with anxiety, mood, and patterns that interfere with daily life.

He also draws on Motivational Interviewing to support a person’s own reasons for change. This method uses guided conversation to build readiness and commitment when someone is weighing difficult choices, such as addressing substance use or making lifestyle shifts.

Solution-Focused Therapy appears in sessions as short-term goal work. It emphasizes small, doable steps and clear markers of progress to move away from a problem and toward concrete change.

Finding the right approach is collaborative. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, try methods that fit, and adjust the plan based on what helps. Clients’ feedback is part of deciding what to keep or change during treatment.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the session formats available before booking since specific formats are not listed here. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It can also let people use audio-only sessions if bandwidth is limited or choose a format that feels most comfortable for them.