- Guilt and shame
- CBT and DBT methods
- Medical social work experience
About Johnathan
Johnathan Lein is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) practicing in Michigan with 40 years of experience. He works with adults facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, relationship and intimacy concerns, grief, parenting questions, ADHD, and issues connected to guilt and shame. He also supports people dealing with career challenges, midlife questions, and LGBTQ-related matters.
Johnathan draws on a client-centered way of working. He listens first and helps people name the problems that feel most urgent. Sessions focus on practical steps and skills, not jargon. He often uses cognitive and behavioral tools to address thoughts and patterns that fuel anxiety or shame.
Over four decades he has worked in medical social work, school settings, and psychotherapy. That background influences how he approaches practical problems like career transitions, caregiving stress, and compassion fatigue. He has experience with people on the autism spectrum and with medical providers from trainees to doctors and nurses.
In the room he blends client-centered work with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy techniques. He also uses elements of Emotionally-Focused Therapy and narrative approaches when they help a person make sense of painful events or relationships. Sessions tend to combine listening, skill practice, and straightforward planning.
People looking for help with guilt or shame can expect a focus on understanding how those feelings developed and on steps to reduce their impact. He asks about current stressors, past influences, and what has or hasn’t worked before. The aim is to build clearer thinking and coping strategies so daily life feels more manageable.
How his therapeutic approaches work in remote sessions
Johnathan uses Client-Centered Therapy in sessions to prioritize the person's own goals and perspective. That approach means the therapist listens closely, reflects what he hears, and helps clients clarify what matters most to them. It suits people who want a collaborative, respectful way to make sense of difficult feelings.He also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify unhelpful thought patterns and try small experiments to change them. CBT is useful for anxiety, depression, and problems where thoughts drive unhelpful behavior. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) elements are used when emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills are needed, such as with intense shame or overwhelming anger.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. He will talk with each person about their goals and preferences, and then recommend which methods to focus on together. That decision is collaborative and can change over time as needs evolve.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so please confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions around work, caregiving, or medical schedules, and can shorten travel time. Phone sessions may suit times when audio-only check-ins are helpful, and video can support face-to-face conversation and skill practice. Licensed professionals generally adapt exercises to online settings so progress can continue between meetings.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
40+ years
Listed in
Michigan
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does he address?
He works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, parenting, ADHD, and concerns including guilt and shame among others.
How does he approach guilt and shame?
He focuses on understanding how those feelings developed and on practical steps to reduce their day-to-day impact using talk and skill-building.
What is his professional background?
He has 40 years of experience across medical social work, education, and psychotherapy, including work with people on the autism spectrum and medical providers.
What credential does he hold and where is he based?
He holds an LMSW and practices in Michigan.
Can sessions be conducted in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does he accept clients from other countries?
He does not accept international clients.
How are sessions billed and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.