Marla Johnson, LMHC

Marla Johnson is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with 25 years of clinical experience. She focuses on practical, approachable care for people dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, and life transitions. Her style is warm and nonjudgmental so people can speak openly during sessions.

Marla uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) alongside client-centered and solution-focused techniques. She helps clients identify unhelpful thoughts and try small behavior changes to see what works. Sessions tend to be straightforward and goal-oriented, with an emphasis on real-life coping skills.

Her background spans many concerns including trauma and abuse, grief, addictions, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting stress, ADHD, and mood disorders. She also supports people working through attachment issues, family of origin problems, abandonment, and issues tied to adoption or foster care. That breadth comes from long practice across varied settings.

In sessions she brings validation and calm curiosity. People can expect a collaborative process where the therapist listens first, then suggests practical steps. Mindfulness and motivational interviewing ideas are used when they match a client’s goals.

Marla practices in Florida and conducts work in English. She aims to help people build clearer routines, manage panic or sleeping problems, and move forward after loss or major change. The focus is on small, achievable changes that fit day-to-day life.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

CBT helps people notice and change thoughts and behaviors that feed anxiety or low mood. Online CBT sessions often include practical homework like tracking thoughts, trying brief experiments, and building daily routines that reduce panic and improve sleep.

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and reflecting so people feel heard and understood. In remote sessions that can help someone gain clarity and confidence before trying behavior changes or setting new goals.

Finding the right mix of methods is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with clients to choose which approaches fit their goals and pace. That might mean starting with listening and validation, then adding CBT tools or solution-focused steps when ready.

Online formats offer flexibility for busy lives. Video calls let people meet face-to-face when bandwidth allows, phone sessions require less data and can fit a shorter break, and live chat or text messaging work for quick check-ins or steady, ongoing support. These options make it easier to keep session schedules consistent and to practice new skills between meetings.