- Stress and anxiety
- Grief and loss
- Social anxiety support
About John
John Hammond is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT, practicing in California with 40 years of professional experience. He works with stress, anxiety, grief and loss, low self-esteem, depression, and issues tied to life changes. He also focuses on communication problems, forgiveness, guilt and shame, isolation and loneliness, life purpose, and social anxiety and phobia.
In sessions he keeps language direct and simple. He listens to what is worrying the client and helps lay out clear next steps. Conversations center on practical ways to cope, small behavior changes, and experiments clients can try between meetings. He matches the pace to what each person can manage.
He pays attention to how someone talks about themselves and their relationships. That often leads to work on communication skills, repairing trust, and reducing shame-driven avoidance. When grief or loss is present, sessions include ways to manage intense feelings and get back to daily routines without forcing progress.
For social anxiety and phobia he focuses on gradual exposure and practicing real-world interactions in manageable steps. For low self-esteem he helps people notice self-critical thoughts and test them against everyday evidence. For life transitions he concentrates on practical planning and coping strategies.
John’s approach is straightforward and action-oriented. He invites questions and clarifies goals early so clients know what to expect. To begin, people complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session.
Practical approaches and online sessions
John uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that emphasize clear steps and real-world practice. One approach involves gradual exposure, which breaks feared social situations into small tasks to practice repeatedly until anxiety eases. This method is useful for social anxiety and phobias where facing avoided situations in steps helps reduce avoidance.Another common technique focuses on identifying and testing self-critical thoughts. This work helps with low self-esteem and depression by encouraging people to notice automatic negative beliefs and try small experiments to gather alternative evidence.
Finding the best approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, preferences, and daily life to decide which techniques fit best. That selection is collaborative and can change as progress is made.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. A clear early conversation will set goals, practical homework, and how to use online meetings to practice skills in everyday situations.
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Experience
40+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does he address?
He works with stress, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, depression, and coping with life changes, plus related issues such as communication problems, guilt, and social anxiety and phobia.
What is his therapy style like?
Sessions are direct and practical, focusing on coping skills, small behavior changes, and clear next steps clients can try between meetings.
How much experience does he have?
He brings 40 years of professional experience as a clinician working with a range of difficulties including anxiety and grief.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is a California LMFT and practices in California.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the U.S. work with him?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How do sessions and cost work?
Costs vary with location; 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.