Dr. Fatai Popoola, LICSW

Dr. Fatai Popoola is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), a clinical social work license that indicates advanced training to assess and treat mental health concerns. Over the past 10 years he has supported people coping with substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health issues, drawing on experience in both private and public agencies that aim to improve daily functioning and overall well-being.

His clinical work centers on treating each person with respect and honoring their uniqueness as a whole being. Conversations in sessions emphasize personal strengths and collaboratively developed, individualized plans designed to address the most pressing issues and needs. He focuses on practical, meaningful steps that align with each client’s goals.

Recognizing that taking the first step toward change requires courage, Dr. Popoola offers steady support and encouragement throughout the therapeutic process. He aims to empower clients as they work toward healthier patterns, greater resilience, and a more satisfying life.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Dr. Fatai Popoola integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into his work to help clients notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting overwhelmed by them, then focus on actions that align with their values; this approach is useful for managing anxiety, depression, and life transitions. He also uses Motivational Interviewing, a collaborative way of speaking that helps people who are uncertain about change to find their own motivation and build commitment, particularly useful for substance use and behavior change. Trauma-Focused Therapy is used when past traumatic experiences are central to a person’s current difficulties; this approach helps process those experiences and develop skills to reduce their impact on daily life.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Dr. Popoola works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods match their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as work progresses.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions by video or phone and options for live chat or text-based messaging make it easier to fit care into busy lives and to connect across distances. These formats allow licensed professionals and therapists to provide ongoing, consistent support while accommodating scheduling and accessibility needs.