- CBT techniques
- Mindfulness practice
- Values-based work
About Gary
Gary Ratliff is an Ohio-licensed independent social worker (LISW) with 10 years of experience in mental health and addiction services. He focuses on stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, anger, self-esteem, and motivation, and also addresses related concerns such as grief, sleep problems, and addictions. He works in plain language and aims to make the first steps feel manageable for people who find asking for help difficult.
He uses practical conversation to identify what matters most to each person. Sessions often include exercises drawn from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness to notice patterns and try small changes. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ideas are used to help people clarify their values and take action that fits those values.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills are offered to help with emotional regulation and impulsive behaviors. Client-centered principles guide how sessions are paced so the person feels heard and respected. This combination is applied to wide-ranging concerns, from relationship and communication problems to chronic pain and workplace stress.
Gary also addresses areas like codependency, control issues, isolation and life-purpose questions. He frames goals in everyday terms, such as improving sleep, reducing overwhelm, or strengthening coping skills. The work is collaborative and concrete, with steps that can be practiced between sessions.
People who contact him begin by describing current struggles and priorities. From there he helps set short-term goals and suggests techniques to try, adjusting as needs change. The emphasis is on manageable changes rather than big promises.
How therapeutic approaches shape online sessions
Gary commonly draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people notice what matters to them and take small actions that reflect their values. ACT focuses on accepting difficult thoughts and building a meaningful direction rather than arguing with every feeling.He also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and test new ways of responding. CBT offers clear exercises and short experiments that can be practiced between meetings. Mindfulness practice is used alongside these methods to build present-moment awareness and reduce reactivity.
Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Gary will discuss goals and preferences and together figure out which methods fit best. That conversation is collaborative and may lead to trying one approach first and adjusting based on what helps most.
The profile does not list specific session formats, so confirm the available options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Licensed professionals can adapt exercises for video or phone and suggest simple between-session practices to build skills into daily life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Listed in
Ohio
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does he address?
He works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, anger, self-esteem, depression, addictions, grief, sleep problems, and related issues listed in his profile.
What kind of therapy style does he use?
He uses a mix of approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and mindfulness techniques.
How much experience does he have?
He has 10 years of professional experience in mental health and addiction fields.
Where is he licensed and located?
He holds an LISW license in Ohio and practices from that state.
In which language are sessions offered?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
Please confirm the current session options before booking, as the profile does not specify which formats are offered.
How does pricing work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.