John Madson

John Madson is a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) based in Minnesota. He has three years of professional experience supporting people who are coping with stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar concerns, and problems related to addiction. John aims to make the first steps toward change feel less daunting by listening without judgment and offering steady support.

He focuses on creating an open space where clients can talk about difficult feelings and experiences. That includes helping people work through grief, trauma and abuse, or struggles with self-esteem. He also addresses issues tied to LGBT identity, social anxiety, eating concerns, and anger.

In sessions he helps clients identify patterns that get in the way and practices concrete ways to try something different. For people facing addiction, he addresses drug and alcohol use alongside feelings like guilt and shame. For those coping with isolation, paranoia, or HIV/AIDS-related stress, he works to reduce distress and improve day-to-day coping.

John brings a straightforward, supportive style that emphasizes collaboration and practical steps. He encourages people to set goals that matter to them and to try changes at a manageable pace. The work is paced to each person’s comfort and readiness.

If you want to know how therapy might help with anger, addiction, or ongoing anxiety, John can talk through options and next steps with you.

Evidence-based techniques and how they work online

John uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on practical change and clearer thinking. One approach helps people learn to notice unhelpful thoughts and test new ways of thinking and behaving; this is useful for anxiety, low mood, and anger. Another approach emphasizes building coping skills and small behavioral changes to reduce risky substance use and manage cravings, which can be helpful for drug and alcohol concerns.

Deciding which approach to try is something the therapist and client do together. John will talk through what matters to you, what goals you want, and what feels manageable. That collaborative process guides whether the focus stays on thinking patterns, behavior change, or a mix of methods tailored to your needs.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the available session formats before booking since none are specified in the profile. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life - for example, shorter check-ins during a break, avoiding travel time, or choosing audio-only when video feels like too much. Licensed professionals can often adapt exercises and homework for remote sessions so progress continues between meetings.