Margaret Johnston

Margaret Johnston is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) based in Florida. She listens closely and helps people sort through stress, anxiety, grief, trauma, and big life changes. Her style is down-to-earth and straightforward, aimed at helping people find practical steps forward when life feels overwhelming.

She trained at the University of North Florida, earning a Master of Clinical Psychotherapy in 2013. Early in her career she completed a nine-month internship in Clinical Pastoral Education focused on deep listening. She also spent time in a program for wounded service members where listening and bearing witness were central to the work.

In sessions she uses Trauma Supportive Therapy to address painful memories at a pace that feels safe. She centers person-centered methods, meeting people where they are and reflecting feelings back so clients can better understand their unmet emotional needs. She supports people in defining personal meaning, setting goals, and planning practical next steps.

Margaret describes her approach as culturally aware and strength-based. She aims to be nonjudgmental and inclusive, and she pays attention to how race and identity shape each person's experience when that matters to the client. She also notes experience with issues related to LGBTQA identities, kink and alternative sexual cultures, and nontraditional relationship arrangements.

Her work covers relationship and intimacy struggles, body image and eating concerns, ADHD and mood conditions, caregiver stress, and divorce and separation. Margaret combines attentive listening with clear, collaborative planning to help people move through difficult transitions.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying values and taking committed actions toward a meaningful life. In practice this looks like identifying what matters to you and testing small behavior changes that align with those values. Attachment-Based Therapy pays attention to how early relationships shape current bonds and emotion patterns; it helps people notice connection styles and practice safer ways of asking for support. Client-Centered Therapy centers the person's experience by offering active listening, reflection, and validation to help people better understand their feelings and choices.

Margaret treats finding the right approach as a collaborative process. She will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what feels useful, and then try approaches that fit those needs. Sessions often combine listening, emotional reflection, and practical planning so work feels relevant to daily life.

The biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm which options are available before booking. Many people appreciate online work because it can make scheduling easier, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when life is busy. If you want a mix of deep listening and homework-style practice, online sessions can support both conversation and planning between meetings.