Margaret Johnston, LMHC

Margaret Johnston is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with 11 years of experience. She listens closely and helps people who feel stuck by naming what is happening and helping plan clear next steps. She meets people where they are and works without judgment to make space for hard feelings.

She trained at the University of North Florida and completed a Master of Clinical Psychotherapy in 2013. Margaret also spent nine months in a Clinical Pastoral Education internship focused on deep listening, and she supported service members in a Talk program at Wounded Warrior. Those experiences shaped the way she listens and responds in sessions.

Margaret uses an approach that centers the person. She reflects what she hears, validates unmet emotional needs, and helps clients define personal meaning and goals. She describes this as guiding rather than directing - the client holds the wisdom, and she helps surface it into practical plans.

Her work often addresses stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, and major life changes. She also supports people with issues around relationships, intimacy, body image, eating concerns, ADHD, bipolar mood concerns, and LGBT-related stressors. Trauma supportive work is offered at a pace set by the client.

Margaret aims to be culturally aware and nonjudgmental. She names the extra burden that race and racism can bring when relevant, and she welcomes people from diverse relationship styles and sexual cultures. Her practice emphasizes strength-based thinking and creating concrete steps toward a more meaningful life.

Therapeutic approaches and how they fit online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify values and take small actions toward a meaningful life despite difficult thoughts or feelings. It is useful for anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing them with clear, practical exercises to reduce symptoms like anxiety and low mood.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will listen to your needs, goals, and preferences and help decide which methods to try first. Clients often try a mix of approaches and adjust the plan as progress is made.

The biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm current options before booking. In general, online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, save travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when a quick review is helpful. It can also let you use tools like worksheets or guided exercises during a session. Licensed professionals tailor pacing and techniques so the work remains practical and goal focused whether sessions are remote or in person.