Marla Johnson , LMHC

Marla Johnson is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) based in Florida with more than 25 years of professional counseling experience. As an LMHC she holds formal credentials to provide mental health services and has worked with a broad range of concerns across the lifespan.

In recent years her clinical focus has turned toward supporting teens and young adults who are coping with depression and anxiety. She combines a client-centered stance with solution-focused techniques to help people identify practical steps forward while honoring each person’s unique perspective and goals.

Marla emphasizes creating a warm, nonjudgmental atmosphere where clients can express themselves openly. She operates from the belief that individuals often hold the answers to their own questions and that the therapist’s role is to witness, support, and guide the discovery of those answers. Validation and empathy are central to her work.

Across a long career she has addressed a wide variety of issues including family and relationship challenges, trauma and grief, addiction, parenting concerns, and mood and attention differences. Her practice weaves together respect for each client’s experience with practical strategies aimed at fostering personal growth and improved daily functioning.

Therapeutic Approaches Adapted for Online Care

Marla Johnson uses client-centered therapy to create a supportive environment where the client's priorities guide each session. This approach emphasizes empathy, active listening, and respect for the individual's insights, which can be especially helpful for relationship, identity, and life-purpose concerns.

She also integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT - which focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and developing practical skills to manage symptoms like anxiety, depression, and panic. CBT offers structured tools that translate well to virtual sessions and homework between meetings.

Mindfulness Therapy is incorporated to help clients build present-moment awareness and stress management skills, useful for sleep, anger, and emotional regulation challenges. These approaches are offered with the understanding that finding the right fit takes time and collaboration. Marla works with each person to determine which methods match their needs, goals, and preferences rather than assuming one path fits everyone.

Online therapy with a licensed professional provides flexibility for people juggling work, school, or family responsibilities. Marla conducts sessions by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing clients to choose the format that feels most manageable and consistent with their daily life.