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MJ Portrait of Marla Johnson

Marla Johnson

Calm, practical therapy focused on real-life change

LMHC Florida

Experience
25 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Marla

About Marla

Marla Johnson is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) based in Florida who brings 25 years of clinical experience to her work.

Background and approach

She draws on cognitive behavioral therapy as part of a client-centered, solution-focused practice to help people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and a wide range of life challenges. Her style emphasizes collaboration and practical strategies that address thoughts, behaviors, and emotions while honoring each person’s lived experience.

Over decades of practice she has supported individuals dealing with trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy concerns, grief, addictions, parenting struggles, and issues related to mood regulation including bipolar disorder and panic attacks. Additional areas of focus include attachment and family of origin matters, ADHD, eating and sleeping difficulties, and problems tied to isolation or life transitions.

Marla aims to create a warm, nonjudgmental environment that validates feelings and invites clients to explore solutions at their own pace. Clients can expect a therapist who prioritizes respect and empathy while offering clear, evidence-informed techniques.

She encourages people to tap into their own strengths and offers guidance toward attainable goals, helping them move from feeling stuck toward greater functioning and clearer direction.

Evidence-Informed Approaches for Online Care

Marla integrates cognitive behavioral therapy and client-centered methods into online work to provide practical, goal-oriented support alongside empathetic listening. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought and behavior patterns to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, panic, and mood-related problems. Client-centered therapy emphasizes building rapport, validating feelings, and helping clients discover their own solutions through an accepting therapeutic relationship.

She also uses mindfulness techniques to help people develop present-moment awareness and self-regulation skills that can reduce stress and improve emotional stability. Finding the right mix of approaches is a collaborative process; the therapist works with clients to assess needs, set goals, and adjust methods so the plan fits personal preferences and life circumstances.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to maximize flexibility. These options make it easier to access therapy from different locations and schedules while maintaining continuity of care, and they allow clients to choose the format that feels most comfortable for practicing new skills and tracking progress.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Marla commonly address?
She works with a broad range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, addictions, relationship and intimacy-related problems, grief, parenting challenges, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and sleep or eating concerns.
What therapeutic styles does she use in sessions?
Her practice blends client-centered work with solution-focused strategies and includes cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness approaches, and motivational interviewing to support behavior change and emotional coping.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings 25 years of counseling experience to her practice, having supported people with a wide variety of mental health and life issues over that time.
Where is she licensed and what is her credential?
She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with the designation FL LMHC MH4583 and practices in the state of Florida.
Does she provide services in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
In what formats are sessions available?
Clients can meet via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on their preference and scheduling.
How are costs handled for therapy?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are involved in getting started?
To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseParenting issuesDepression

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersAnger managementSelf esteemBipolar disorderCoping with life changesADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeCommunication problemsDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Family of origin issuesFamily problemsGuilt and shameImpulsivityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMood disordersPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressSelf-harmSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

25+ years

Licensed

Florida

Languages

English