John ODonoghue

John ODonoghue has spent 27 years helping people navigate difficult passages in life across a variety of professional settings. He encourages people to give themselves credit for reaching out, because skilled therapeutic support during challenging times can produce meaningful, positive change.

He believes that hardship and emotional pain can sometimes become sources of growth, and he notes the insight attributed to Eckhart Tolle that suffering can be a powerful teacher. John did not become a therapist until midlife and has experienced major life changes, transformation, suffering, and loss himself; those experiences have deepened his empathy and compassion and inform the care he offers.

Building trust in the therapeutic relationship is central to his work, and he aims to provide unconditional, non-judgmental positive regard. He holds two master’s degrees, one in Psychology and one in Counseling Psychology, and he carries two professional licenses in North Carolina: one as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and another as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Whether clients seek longer-term therapy to uncover persistent patterns or solution-focused brief therapy for a specific issue, John tailors the approach to each person’s goals and preferences.

His practice includes a wide range of concerns. He has expertise with relationship struggles of all kinds - including dating and alternate lifestyles - and has a special interest in addiction. He developed a comprehensive alternative addiction treatment program in India designed for many forms of addiction, including alcohol, drugs, food, gambling, sex, polysubstance cocktails, internet addictions, and others, and he follows principles of harm reduction. As an EAP counselor he assists with workplace and career issues. Other areas of focus include grief and loss, blended family challenges, stress, coping with narcissists, mild depression, anxiety, social anxiety, procrastination, guilt, anger, self-blame, PTSD, family conflict, the needs of highly sensitive people, spirituality and mindfulness, and existential issues.

John is located in California and is committed to helping people discover their capacity to heal and grow, to listen to inner wisdom, and to move toward peace, self-acceptance, and confidence in place of fear. He wishes those beginning this work all the best and looks forward to working with people who choose him.