John Golden, MSW, LCSW

Hi. It has been quite an adventurous road getting here. Like you, I've had my obstacles, yet it has been worth it as I sincerely look forward to my profession each day. So, a little bit about me:
I obtained my Masters in Social Work from Wash U in St Louis and my BA in Philosophy from Mizzou.
For over 20 years I have been fortunate enough to be married to my lovely wife and we have two healthy young boys who have influenced my life more that they know.
I've done clinical work in a variety of settings including not-for-profit, federally qualified health centers, academic institutions, and residential facilities.
The past ten years I have worked in a primary care setting and the experience that provided is a significant factor in influencing how I engage in helping others in session. My goal is to provide you with a relaxed atmosphere where you feel comfortable, share your story, and to be actively engaged in providing you the skills, the understanding, and the means to achieve your goals.
Most therapists have similar knowledge and training in evidence based techniques and approaches. How that knowledge is going to be communicated/shared with you is what will make the biggest difference when working with someone. This is why I ask you to give me the opportunity for us to at least meet one another, to see if we are a good fit. My style is to provide you with a bit of a “sample menu” of approaches that can address your needs/goals and then work with you based on which of those seems most appealing. By the end of a session we will, more times than not, have some sort of task to do or skill to practice before the next session. This will allow you to build up the necessary knowledge, skills, and coping mechanisms to not just reach you goals but to maintain or supersede them. Similar to a good doctor whose aim is to get your body in a healthy state, and maybe come back for a check up or when feeling off, I similarly want you to be in a place where your mind is healthy, that you are able to maintain that on your own, and that you know I am available if you need a check up down the road.