Hello! I am so glad to meet you and have this chance to introduce myself. I am a licensed clinical social worker with 30 years of experience in the field. I received my professional training at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. I have been a therapist for 15 years. I am also a husband, a dad of three adult kids, two dogs and a cat.
My practice focuses on depression, anxiety, substance misuse and men’s issues. I also offer leadership coaching and development. I use evidence based approaches that lead to personal growth.
I approach therapy with a focus on individual needs, particularly for adults seeking understanding and meaningful connection. I create a supportive environment where you can explore difficult emotions, heal from past experiences, and develop healthier coping strategies. I find that a little humor can be helpful at times and using metaphors and pictures helps build a clearer understanding of how to solve problems. I am open minded, prioritizing your unique journey and personal growth. My goal is to help you get stronger, understand underlying patterns, and create positive change in your life.
You have taken a very important step by reaching out. I'm committed to walking alongside you and I look forward to meeting you.
Additional areas of focus: Relationship issues, Trauma and abuse, Coping with grief and loss, Intimacy related issues, Motivation, self esteem, and confidence, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Communication problems, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Fatherhood issues, Guilt and shame, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Men's issues, Midlife crisis, Mood disorders, Narcissism, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Paranoia, Personality disorders, Self-harm, Workplace issues
Clinical approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy
MI LMSW 6801067333
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for John Shovels. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Right from the start I trusted John which is rare for me. He has helped me through so many of my fears. With his help, I can continue to improve myself. I’m super thankful I got placed with John because I was really nervous about therapy from prior bad experiences but desperately needed help and John always makes me feel calmer and more clear headed even when I’m going through rough times but my rough times have gotten a lot less and a lot easier to get through.
Written on May 18, 2026 after therapy with John for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and self esteem
I would highly recommend John! He is a very good listener, understands what my concerns are and he helps me work through them. He’s so warm and kind and that makes it easier to open up to him.
Written on Jan 20, 2026 after therapy with John for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and self esteem
John has been a great resource for me for the past couple of years. He's a great listener and has a lot of great wisdom and analogies to provide in relation.
Written on Apr 03, 2023 after therapy with John for 1 year and 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, self esteem, career difficulties, and compassion fatigue
John Shovels is a professional, kind, understanding expert who listens, clarifies, and sets clear goals for improving yourself. Five stars!
Written on Mar 10, 2023 after therapy with John for 1 month on issues concerning relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, and parenting issues
I have issues with the billing policy.
Written on May 16, 2022 after therapy with John for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, family conflicts, grief, parenting issues, and coping with life changes
John is great. I've done over 20 sessions with him (and counting). I hadn't tried therapy in over a decade ago because I had a bad initial experience with someone else. John has showed me how helpful therapy can be. We both listen to each other and have mutual respect. Therapy isn't a magic solution of course. But if you do the work, and intentionally communicate well with your therapist, it adds up. Sometimes even just being able to verbalize what I'm struggling with is half the battle. Even when sometimes that's "I'm not sure what to focus on today." But we somehow figure it out. And whatever I share, John actually listens and often can point out patterns or perspectives I had never considered or haven't been paying enough attention to. Thanks John!
Written on Apr 03, 2022 after therapy with John for 5 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, depression, coping with life changes, trauma and abuse, and grief