John Uriarte, LCSW

John Uriarte is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with nearly four decades of practice. He trained at the University of California, Berkeley and has worked in both military and civilian settings. He listens first and helps people who are ready to make changes. Many come to him feeling stuck by past events or facing big life transitions such as a midlife crisis.

John draws on long experience supporting people through tough times. He spent 24 years in the U.S. Army and retired as a lieutenant colonel, providing counseling to soldiers and their families during deployments and after return. He later worked with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and continued helping veterans and families manage the effects of trauma and stress.

In sessions he keeps the focus practical and clear. He uses approaches that help people notice what matters, change unhelpful thinking, and rebuild relationships. He also works with common struggles like grief, sleep problems, anger, and low self-esteem.

People who reach out often want help with major life shifts - career changes, separation or divorce, parenting strains, or feeling empty and uncertain about the future. He also sees issues related to trauma, ADHD, chronic illness, and compassion fatigue.

John emphasizes a collaborative process. He listens, helps set goals, and uses methods that fit each person’s needs. Sessions aim to make day-to-day life easier and more manageable.

Approaches that translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters and take steps toward those values even when feelings are hard. It can be useful for anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new ways of thinking and acting to reduce distress and improve daily functioning. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships shape patterns now and helps people build healthier connections and clearer communication.

Finding the right approach is part of therapy. John works together with each person to decide which methods match their goals and preferences. That collaborative process may blend elements from different approaches as needs change over time.

Confirm current session options before booking, as specific online formats are not listed here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life - they reduce travel time, allow for quicker check-ins, and can be scheduled around work or caregiving responsibilities. They also let people continue therapy during transitions or when in-person visits are difficult. Licensed professionals adapt exercises, pacing, and communication for the online setting so sessions remain focused and practical.