Marla Johnson , LMHC

Marla Johnson is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and a Registered Play Therapist practicing in Florida, bringing more than 25 years of experience to her clinical work. An LMHC is a licensed professional trained to provide psychotherapy for individuals, families, and groups, and registration as a play therapist reflects additional training in using play-based methods with children.

Her recent clinical focus has centered on depression and anxiety in teens and young adults, while her broader practice addresses a wide range of concerns including family and relationship issues, trauma and abuse, parenting challenges, addiction, grief, mood disorders, and difficulties with sleep and eating. She works with clients across the lifespan and with diverse presenting problems, emphasizing practical coping strategies and emotional healing.

Marla practices from a client-centered and solution-focused stance, aiming to create a warm, nonjudgmental atmosphere where people feel comfortable expressing themselves. She approaches each interaction with validation and respect, operating from the belief that individuals bring essential insight to their own lives and that therapy is a collaborative process of discovery and growth. Her goal is to support personal change while honoring each person’s strengths and lived experience.

Approaches and Online Care for Collaborative Change

Marla Johnson commonly integrates client-centered therapy and solution-focused therapy, and she also draws on cognitive behavioral therapy when helpful. Client-centered therapy emphasizes a warm, nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship that supports clients as they explore their thoughts and feelings and build on their own strengths. Solution-focused therapy concentrates on identifying practical steps and small changes that move a person toward their goals, making it useful for clients seeking focused, goal-oriented work. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people examine the links between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and develop skills to manage symptoms and respond differently to challenging situations.

Finding the most effective approach is part of the therapeutic process. Marla collaborates with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting techniques over time as progress is made. This collaborative stance keeps treatment relevant and responsive.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility for scheduling and for connecting from different locations within Florida. These formats allow therapists and clients to work together in ways that fit everyday life while maintaining therapeutic continuity and support.