John has great insights, and he can direct thoughts and actions to be productive. He has a great temperament, and he gives thoughtful advice rather than parroting back whatever I say.
John Portolano, LCSW
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through BetterHelp
At a glance
John is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.
- 5.0 stars
- Clients are very satisfied with John. View 15 reviews
- Speaks English
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in Florida
Recent reviews
Truly the best therapist I’ve ever had. I was finally able to open up to someone and be honest. I feel like a better person having worked on myself with John .
More about John
- 23 years' experience
- Male
- LCSW
In 1998, as retirement drew nearer and my career as a firefighter/paramedic was coming to an end, I had a great awareness that I was too young to spend the next twenty years playing golf or sitting on a beach. So, I decided to go back to school. I knew that I wanted to continue helping others and after months of exploring my options I decided that my next life chapter would be as a clinical therapist. Six years later I graduated from the University of South Florida with a master's degree in clinical social work. Over the course of the next twenty years I had the opportunity to work with children, adolescents and adults in a verity of settings. My education and experience extended well beyond my time in the classroom. I honed my skills while working with patients coping with emotional issues, addiction and the dual diagnosed. At present I know that I have the expertise to work with a vast majority of those that seek out help however, I've also learned my therapeutic limitations. Before entering into a therapeutic relationship I have to be certain that I have the expertise to provide the appropriate help or I would be doing my patient a great disservice. My singular goal is to provide you the help you seek.
My therapeutic approach is using Solution Focused Brief Therapy and I've attached some information below to better explain what that is;
Unlike Traditional forms of therapy that take time to analyze problems, pathology and past life events, Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) concentrates on finding solutions in the present time and exploring one's hope for the future to find a quicker resolution of one's problems. This method takes the approach that you know what you need to improve your life and, with the appropriate coaching and questioning, are capable of finding the best solutions.
I should also add that I'm not a shirt and tie or Dockers and Polo shirt therapist, more than not you'll see me in a t-shirt and shorts. Hopefully that does not dissuade you from coming onto my service but I definitely understand if it does.
Specialties
Stress
Anxiety
Addictions
Relationship issues
Self esteem
Depression
Family conflicts
Trauma and abuse
Grief
Intimacy-related issues
Parenting issues
Anger management
Career difficulties
Bipolar disorder
Coping with life changes
Coaching
Compassion fatigue
Abandonment
Aging and geriatric issues
Antisocial personality
Attachment issues
Cancer
Codependency
Commitment issues
Control issues
Dependent personality
Divorce and separation
Drug and alcohol addiction
Family problems
Fatherhood issues
First responder issues
Forgiveness
Guilt and shame
Impulsivity
Infidelity
Isolation / loneliness
Jealousy
Life purpose
Men's issues
Midlife crisis
Money and financial issues
Mood disorders
Narcissism
Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
Personality disorders
Phobias
Self-love
Social anxiety and phobia
Workplace issues
Treatment Approaches
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Narrative Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Licenses
John Portolano's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1215233325.
- LCSW · Florida · SW8292 · Expires March 2025
About online counseling
- Affordable.
- Pay a low flat fee.
- Convenient.
- Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
- Available now.
- There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.
Online counseling allows you to receive care from a mental health practitioner via phone, video chat, or instant messaging. It is convenient for those who may have trouble getting to or would prefer not to have in-person therapy appointments. Starting at $65 per week, online counseling is generally more affordable than in-person counseling. A study by researchers at University of California, Berkeley found that online counseling can be just as effective as face-to-face therapy while being more convenient, affordable, and accessible.
Reviews for John Portolano
All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.
Overall rating:
John has great insights, and he can direct thoughts and actions to be productive. He has a great temperament, and he gives thoughtful advice rather than parroting back whatever I say.
Truly the best therapist I’ve ever had. I was finally able to open up to someone and be honest. I feel like a better person having worked on myself with John .
Working with John has truly been a life-changing experience. He is kind and patient but also holds me accountable. He instills hope in me through his careful guidance. Since enrolling in sessions, I've seen an increase in my self-esteem, relationships, and overall quality of life. I am forever grateful that I reached out for support when I needed it, and that I was connected with someone as incredible as John Portolano.
John is highly professional, patient and helpful. I am able to fully trust him and his advice really make a difference in my life. I appreciate his help very much!
We only had one session but he asked good questions to drive to the heart of the matter.
The first time I feel comfortable w a therapist… truly grateful
He is immensely helpful. I'm so happy to be back working with him.
John is the best therapist. He's on time, engaged, takes notes, a great listener but also talks a lot and gives really deep thoughtful advice. I've written a lot of his advice in my journal because it was so well said. Thank you John for what you do!! I always look forward to speaking with John every week. He's helped me to keep my head clear and make healthy choices.
He’s the actual best
John is incredible at what he does. He is genuine, kind, and truly wants to see his clients succeed. He is direct and honest, which is always appreciated. He always makes sure his clients are actively working to their goal, and knows how to push them in an effective manner.
I’ve had 3 sessions but I am already noticing a improvement in my anxiety. John’s really great at listening and offering useful tools and insight.
John is very helpful, insightful, and very responsive
John is honest and supportive, and he is a great listener. He guides me through finding solutions which is what I need.
John is a good therapist
John is very compassionate and caring and I would certainly recommend him if you or your partner are going through addiction.
Frequently asked questions
Does John Portolano offer telehealth visits?
Yes. John Portolano works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does John Portolano speak?
John Portolano speaks English.
How many years of experience does John Portolano have?
John Portolano has 23 years of experience.
Where is John Portolano licensed to practice?
John Portolano is licensed to practice in Florida.
Does John Portolano accept clients outside of the United States?
No, John Portolano does not accept clients outside of the United States.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does John Portolano offer?
John Portolano offers clients Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy.
How can I communicate with John Portolano?
John Portolano can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with John Portolano?
Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.