Matthew Johnson, III, LCSW

Matthew Johnson, III is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people facing addiction, grief, relationship strain, and mood concerns. He writes plainly and listens closely, making room for hard feelings and honest conversation. Sessions are meant to be a place to name struggles and find practical next steps.

He draws on 24 years of experience in social work and two decades as an LCSW. That background includes substantial work with addiction and bereavement, which informs how he approaches anxiety, depression, traumatic stress, and family conflict. He focuses on clear, doable changes rather than jargon or abstract theory.

In meetings he uses a client-centered stance and cognitive behavioral techniques. That means he encourages people to tell their stories and then looks at how thoughts influence feelings and behavior. Together the therapist and client develop small experiments and coping skills to test between sessions.

Motivational interviewing also informs his style when people want help finding reasons to change or to build momentum. Sessions are collaborative and paced to each person’s readiness. Matthew aims to offer straightforward feedback and guidance while respecting each person’s values.

People working with him often focus on improving communication, handling anger, coping with life changes, or addressing substance use and related patterns. He also supports parents, those dealing with family-of-origin issues, caregivers, and people navigating infidelity or separation.

Matthew practices in Louisiana and conducts sessions in English. He uses an approach that balances listening with concrete tools to help people move toward the life they want.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

Matthew blends cognitive behavioral techniques with a client-centered stance to help people change unhelpful thinking and develop new coping skills. CBT focuses on identifying patterns of thought that affect mood and behavior and then testing small behavioral experiments to see what changes. Client-centered work emphasizes listening, reflection, and making space for a person to lead the conversation while the therapist offers empathy and nonjudgmental feedback.

Motivational interviewing is used when people want help finding motivation for change. That approach uses open questions and reflective listening to clarify goals and strengthen resolve. Choosing or adapting an approach is collaborative; the therapist will discuss options and tailor methods to a person’s goals, pace, and preferences rather than imposing a single path.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which can make scheduling more flexible. Video sessions allow face-to-face interaction for skill practice, phone sessions can be simpler when bandwidth is limited, live chat supports shorter check-ins, and messaging is useful for ongoing reflection between appointments. These options help people fit therapy into work, parenting, and other busy routines while keeping the focus on practical change.