John Midgley

Hi, I’m John Midgley, LCSW, founder of The Magic of Therapy, PLLC. I’ve worked in mental health since 2009 and help adolescents, young adults, and adults navigate anxiety, depression, stress, relationship issues, life transitions, and personal growth.

My style is warm, creative, and practical. I blend evidence-based approaches like CBT, DBT, solution-focused therapy, and insight-oriented work with curiosity, humor, and creativity to help clients better understand themselves and create meaningful change.

In addition to being a therapist, I’m also a professional magician and illustrator, which gives me a unique perspective on storytelling, perception, resilience, and human connection. I believe therapy should feel collaborative, genuine, and tailored to the individual—not one-size-fits-all.

My approach to therapy is collaborative, practical, and tailored to the individual. I believe therapy works best when clients feel safe, understood, and able to be themselves without fear of judgment. My goal is to create an environment where clients can explore challenges openly while also developing concrete tools for change and growth.

I draw from evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), solution-focused therapy, mindfulness-based techniques, and insight-oriented work. Depending on the client’s needs, sessions may focus on understanding patterns, improving emotional regulation, strengthening relationships, reducing anxiety or depression, increasing self-awareness, or building healthier coping strategies.

I work with adolescents, young adults, and adults facing concerns such as anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, relationship challenges, identity development, neurodivergence, personality-related concerns, and self-esteem issues. I also enjoy working with highly creative individuals, professionals, caregivers, and people who often feel misunderstood or “different.”

While therapy is grounded in strong clinical practice, I also value creativity, curiosity, humor, and authenticity in the process. I believe meaningful change happens not only through insight, but through building a stronger, more compassionate relationship with yourself and learning how to navigate life with greater confidence and resilience.

The first session is designed to help us get to know each other and determine whether we’re a good fit. Starting therapy can feel intimidating, so my goal is to create a comfortable, relaxed, and judgment-free environment where you can talk openly at your own pace.

During our first session, we’ll discuss what brings you to therapy, the challenges you’re currently facing, your personal history, strengths, goals, and what you hope to gain from the process. You do not need to have everything figured out before starting therapy — part of the work is helping clarify what feels overwhelming, confusing, or difficult to navigate.

I also use the first session to better understand patterns, stressors, relationships, coping styles, and any emotional or behavioral concerns that may be impacting your life. Together, we’ll begin identifying goals and creating a plan that feels realistic and personalized to your needs.

Clients often describe my style as warm, approachable, collaborative, and genuine. While therapy can involve deep and meaningful work, I also believe it should feel human and authentic rather than overly clinical or impersonal. My hope is that clients leave the first session feeling heard, understood, and with a clearer sense of direction moving forward.