John Countryman, MA, LPCC-S (he/him) is a mixed Indigenous, transgender, and dyslexic counselor. He earned his BA in Psychology from the University of Alaska Anchorage and then completed an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Malone University. With experience working in community mental health, John is dedicated to making therapy an accessible space where clients feel safe and empowered to heal. His personal and professional experiences inform his approach of cultural humility when working with clients navigating LGBTQIA+ identities, co-occurring diagnoses, substance use, chronic illnesses, complex trauma, and neurodivergence. He uses EMDR, person-centered therapy, and anti-oppressive approaches, blending relational and individualized care with a focus on client autonomy.
As an Indigenous and transgender man, John understands the challenges and power dynamics that can come with systems of care for marginalized communities. He is committed to decolonizing trauma therapy, flattening therapeutic hierarchies, and providing high-quality, ethically sound, and socially conscious counseling. John sees his role in counseling as a privilege; a chance to connect with people at vulnerable moments in their lives, helping them see shared humanity, strength, and resilience. He uses gentle humor and models hope to build trust and support clients’ autonomy, always respecting their unique experiences and identities.
John primarily uses liberation-focused therapy. This approach examines how social injustices and inequalities affect people’s mental health and well-being. It aims to help clients see and challenge the larger social and political contexts that influence their lives. The goal isn’t just to treat psychological symptoms but also to empower clients to recognize and confront systemic injustices.
John is compassionate and strives to create safe, inclusive spaces where everyone can heal and grow. While his approach centers clients with marginalized identities, it can also be very meaningful for anyone who wants to explore and understand their identity better. He supports clients in challenging negative core beliefs about themselves and others, and in recognizing their own sources of privilege and power. He has seen that exploring all parts of a person’s identity can help clients build a stronger sense of who they are, reduce feelings of shame, and address loneliness and isolation by fostering better connections with others.
John cares deeply about helping clients understand what therapy is and what it can offer. He is aware that the therapist-client relationship can sometimes be uneven and recognizes how harmful experiences with organizations and unethical practices can leave lasting damage. That’s why part of his approach is “pulling back the curtain” on therapy itself. Being transparent and talking about diagnoses clearly, helping clients understand the differences between multiple diagnoses, and how they interact.
He works with individuals and various types of relationships, including friendships, romantic partnerships, and polyamorous dynamics. He specializes in complex PTSD, dissociative disorders, late-diagnosed neurodivergence, and chronic illnesses/disabilities. He also supports clients with substance use, using a harm reduction approach, and endorses medication-assisted treatment (MAT). His primary focus is to help clients reduce shame, strengthen positive beliefs about their abilities and self-worth, and explore aspects of their gender, sexuality, or other parts of their identity to develop a clearer understanding of themselves.
Outside of the office, John is often found at home, where he highly values rest and relaxation, finding fulfillment in reading, cooking, and watching movies. When he is out-and-about, he really enjoys being in nature, doing some amateur birdwatching, and unwinding in a hammock.
Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage & Family Therapist Board License #: E.2303798-SUPV