John Jaco

John Jaco, MSW, LICSW-WA, CCht, is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with over 30 years of experience helping individuals navigate life’s challenges and improve their emotional well-being. He holds degrees from the University of North Texas and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, with academic backgrounds in Sociology and Clinical Social Work. In addition, he has certifications in Clinical Hypnotherapy and Neuro-Linguistic Programming through Transform Destiny.

John specializes in working with adults (ages 18–108) and has extensive experience supporting clients dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, overwhelm, addiction, and life transitions. He has also worked with individuals seeking support for weight management, behavioral change, and emotional healing. His approach is grounded in helping clients better understand their experiences while developing practical tools to turn challenges into strengths.

Drawing from a combination of evidence-based practices and integrative techniques, John incorporates approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, and mindfulness-based strategies. He is passionate about creating a compassionate, non-judgmental, and supportive environment where clients feel safe to explore, grow, and move forward in their lives with greater confidence and resilience.

My approach to therapy is collaborative, compassionate, and goal-oriented. I work alongside clients to better understand their experiences, identify patterns that may be contributing to distress, and develop practical strategies for meaningful change. I believe each person has the capacity to grow, heal, and build on their strengths, and therapy should be a supportive space where that process can unfold at a comfortable pace.

I draw from a range of evidence-based modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and mindfulness-based techniques. When appropriate, I also integrate hypnotherapy and neuro-linguistic programming strategies to help clients address deeper emotional blocks, habits, and subconscious patterns that may be impacting their well-being.

My work often focuses on helping clients manage anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, addiction, and life transitions. I emphasize building insight while also providing concrete tools clients can apply in daily life. Sessions are typically structured yet flexible, balancing exploration with practical skill-building.

Above all, I aim to create a safe, non-judgmental, and supportive environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to make the changes they want in their lives.

In the first session, clients can expect a welcoming, supportive, and non-judgmental environment where the focus is on getting to know you and understanding what brings you to therapy. I take time to listen to your concerns, gather relevant background information, and learn more about your current challenges, goals, and what you hope to achieve through therapy.

We will also discuss your personal history, any previous therapy experiences, and key areas of your life that may be impacting your well-being. This helps me begin to develop a clear understanding of your situation and identify potential approaches that may be helpful moving forward.

Toward the end of the session, we will begin to outline initial goals and establish a collaborative plan for treatment. These goals are typically focused on reducing distress, improving coping skills, and building practical strategies you can apply in your daily life. I also encourage questions so you feel informed and comfortable with the process.

My priority is to ensure that you leave the first session with a sense of clarity, support, and direction, along with an understanding that therapy is a collaborative process tailored to your needs and pace.