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GR Portrait of Gary Ratliff

Gary Ratliff

Solutions-focused care with practical strategies

LISW Ohio

Experience
10 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages
English
Continue with Gary

About Gary

Gary Ratliff is an Ohio-licensed social worker with a decade of clinical experience working in mental health and addiction settings. He practices with a focus on cognitive behavioral approaches alongside acceptance, mindfulness, and client-centered perspectives to help clients address stress, anxiety, trauma, anger, self-esteem, depression, and addiction-related concerns.

Background and approach

His work also encompasses ADHD, bipolar symptoms, grief, sleeping difficulties, career transitions, and compassion fatigue, as well as a range of related challenges such as codependency, chronic illness, communication problems, and life purpose questions. He emphasizes respectful, sensitive, and compassionate interactions and adapts conversations and treatment plans to fit each person’s needs.

Gary frames therapy as a collaborative effort, supporting people who are ready to make changes and offering practical strategies drawn from evidence-informed approaches. Prospective clients can expect a therapist who values individualized care and who seeks to create a comfortable space for exploring coping skills, motivation, and recovery from stressful or traumatic experiences.

Online approaches that combine skills and presence

Gary integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) alongside client-centered principles to structure online work. CBT involves identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and is useful for anxiety, depression, sleep issues, and many stress-related concerns. ACT focuses on values-based action and learning to allow thoughts without being driven by them, which can help with trauma responses, addiction triggers, and coping with life changes. Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathy and collaboration so that conversations are shaped around the client’s experience and goals rather than a one-size-fits-all script.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the therapeutic process, and Gary will work collaboratively to determine which methods best fit a person’s needs, goals, and preferences. Together they will explore practical skills, acceptance strategies, and a treatment rhythm that feels manageable and relevant.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to maximize flexibility and accessibility. These options allow people to engage in therapy from locations that suit their schedules, and the variety of formats supports different communication styles and day-to-day demands.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Gary commonly address in therapy
He works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, anger, self esteem, depression, addictions, LGBT issues, family challenges, grief, sleeping problems, career concerns, bipolar symptoms, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and ADHD, plus additional focuses like abandonment and chronic pain.
What therapeutic approaches does he use
His practice draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness Therapy to offer flexible, skill-based support.
How much clinical experience does he have
Gary has 10 years of professional experience in the mental health and addiction fields, bringing practical knowledge from those settings to individual care.
What are his credentials and where is he licensed
He holds the LISW credential and is licensed in Ohio with license identifier OH LISW I.2103221-SUPV.
Does he offer services in other languages or to international clients
Sessions are conducted in English and he is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available
He provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.
How is pricing handled for sessions
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are needed to begin therapy
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist’s availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseAnger managementSelf esteemDepression

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTFamily conflictsGriefSleeping disordersCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentBlended family issuesChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionFatherhood issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMen's issuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPhobiasPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

10+ years

Licensed

Ohio

Languages

English