Margaret Johnston, LMHC

Margaret Johnston is an LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) who blends decades of listening experience with clinical training and community advocacy to support people facing stress, trauma, grief, relationship struggles, and identity-related concerns. She holds a Master of Clinical Psychotherapy from the University of North Florida, completed in 2013, and undertook a nine-month internship in Clinical Pastoral Education under Ed Wilder that emphasized deep listening. Early clinical work included an eight-month role in the Talk program at Wounded Warrior, where she focused on attentive, trauma-informed listening.

Johnston practices with a trauma-supportive orientation, helping individuals move through past pain at a pace that feels safe while identifying unmet emotional needs and practical goals. She emphasizes person-centered care and strength-based approaches, meeting people where they are and treating them as the primary experts on their own lives. Her work includes guiding clients to clarify personal meaning, explore options, and plan purposeful steps toward living well without being hindered by past experiences.

Clinically, she integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment-Based work, Client-Centered methods, Cognitive Behavioral strategies, and Emotionally-Focused techniques depending on each person’s needs. She is inclusive, secular, affirming, and non-judgmental, and she brings particular experience with LGBTQA, kink and alternative sexual cultures, blended family dynamics, eating and body-image concerns, caregiver stress, and a range of mood and anxiety presentations. Based in Florida and accepting international clients, Johnston aims to provide culturally sensitive, compassionate guidance for those navigating transitions, trauma, and complex relational issues.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Margaret Johnston draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Attachment-Based Therapy along with Client-Centered principles to guide her online work. ACT focuses on clarifying personal values, accepting difficult thoughts and emotions, and taking committed action toward meaningful goals - it can be useful for people struggling with anxiety, depression, or life transitions. Attachment-Based Therapy explores patterns in relationships and early bonds to help people understand how past relational experiences shape current connection and safety with others. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathic listening and unconditional positive regard - the therapist provides a supportive presence that helps individuals feel heard and discover their own answers.

Finding the right combination of approaches is part of the therapeutic process. Johnston collaborates with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the approach as progress and understanding evolve.

Online sessions offer practical flexibility - whether by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging - making it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, manage geographic limitations, or maintain continuity during life changes. Licensed professionals can use these modalities to deliver focused, goal-driven work and empathetic listening in ways that accommodate different communication styles and logistical needs.