TOUCHSTONE.
touch·stone
/ˈtəCHˌstōn/
noun
an anchor. a teacher. a stable force. especially helpful in times of stress when your own sense of calm or peace or stability appears to have
. . . fled your grasp.
My Approach
To Therapy and Life Coaching.
About Touchstone
About This Business & Me.
Touchstone Therapy Online, LLC is a veteran and woman-owned & operated online mental health company that was founded by me, Linda Johannisson in 2019.
I am a licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C). I earned my Masters of Social Work degree in 1994 from the School of Social Work at the University of Maryland, with a subspecialty in Mental Health. For 28+ years I have practiced as a therapist in many settings, from the fast-paced environment of the Emergency Room to the more relaxed setting of Private Practice. I have had the honor of working with individuals, couples, families, adolescents, veterans, the homeless and medically complex care patients.
These clients brought a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety (including PTSD), relationship issues, parenting problems, family conflict, alcohol, drug, food, and behavioral addictions, grief and loss, anger management, emotional abuse, career challenges and more.
My Dog, Samantha, running always makes me laugh
In my experience, sometimes my clients present new Life Challenges. However, many times people present with situations that I have personal experience with; experience that I have gone through and grown through the pain and "stuck-ness" they are currently in.
As a witness to their growth and by their own report of life-changes (see Testimonials) and thought shifts they have experienced, I would give a score of about 85-92% successful.
In my own life, I simply refuse to be a glum person. I know the dark hole of fear, depression, addiction(s), anxiety and "cruddy" dysfunctional relationships. And these experiences have been my biggest teachers (and YES I frequently fought learning the lessons myself).
It is therefore my goal to make the therapeutic experience as comfortable as possible. Because without a sense of safety and trust there can not be any change or growth. Sure, sometimes therapy may be serious and rather hard work, but in my experience this is not always the case. In fact, more often than not, I find that both my client(s) and I are laughing. It can an be amazingly fun experience. I know this may sound strange, but I have seen it happen over and over and over again.
Laughter, what do "they" say? It IS the VERY BEST MEDICINE.
Sometimes it Takes A Leap of Faith
Even in therapy.
Well, perhaps Especially in Therapy .
Endeavors Other Than Therapy.
Additionally, I have had other careers which afford me an expansive perspective and the ability to understand life from a non-therapist view.
In 1978, I graduated from San Diego State University, CA with Bachelor’s of Art in Telecommunications & Film, with a Minor in Spanish. I landed a job as a television advertising saleswoman with Cox Cable Two. There wasn't a lot of cable at that time and I had to learn salesmanship and belief in a product.
Next I worked as a producer and writer at the local ABC Television station in San Diego and learned many skills including video competence, the importance of knowing my audience and the impact of emotional connection.
A Few Necessary Words
Regarding My Thoughts About
Samantha running makes me laugh. Always!
In my experience, sometimes my clients present new Life Challenges. However, many times people present with situations that I have personal experience with; experience that I have gone through and grown through the pain and "stuck-ness" they are currently in.
As a witness to their growth and by their own report of life-changes (see Testimonials) and thought shifts they have experienced, I would give a score of about 85-92% successful.
In my own life, I simply refuse to be a glum person. I know the dark hole of fear, depression, addiction(s), anxiety and "cruddy" dysfunctional relationships. And these experiences have been my biggest teachers (and YES I frequently fought learning the lessons myself).
It is therefore my goal to make the therapeutic experience as comfortable as possible. Because without a sense of safety and trust there can not be any change or growth. Sure, sometimes therapy may be serious and rather hard work, but in my experience this is not always the case. In fact, more often than not, I find that both my client(s) and I are laughing. It can an be amazingly fun experience. I know this may sound strange, but I have seen it happen over and over and over again. Laughter, what do "they" say? It IS the VERY BEST MEDICINE.
TOUCHSTONE.
touch·stone
/ˈtəCHˌstōn/
noun
an anchor. a teacher. a stable force. especially helpful in times of stress when your own sense of calm or peace or stability appears to have
. . . fled your grasp.
About Touchstone
About This Business & Me.
The REALMS
of
Religion, Spirituality, & Belief Systems.
I try my best to honor and respect any person's choice in these REALMS.
So it is important that anyone choosing to work with me
knows where I stand.
After lengthy and rigorous investigation I have found much truth in all of the Belief Systems & Religions I have studied.
However, I do not accept any which condone doing harm to any living thing.
I choose to believe in
Inclusivity rather than Exclusivity
which I Believe all the great teachers promote.
There is an excellent saying,
"You Spot It, You Got it."
Well, I detest Arrogance.
A lot.
So, just maybe I got some of it.
Yeah, I am a work in Progress too.
Touchstone Therapy Online, LLC is a veteran and woman-owned & operated online mental health company that was founded by me, Linda Johannisson in 2019.
I am a licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C). I earned my Masters of Social Work degree in 1994 from the School of Social Work at the University of Maryland, with a subspecialty in Mental Health. For 28+ years I have practiced as a therapist in many settings, from the fast-paced environment of the Emergency Room to the more relaxed setting of Private Practice. I have had the honor of working with individuals, couples, families, adolescents, veterans, the homeless and medically complex care patients.
These clients brought a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety (including PTSD), relationship issues, parenting problems, family conflict, alcohol, drug, food, and behavioral addictions, grief and loss, anger management, emotional abuse, career challenges and more.
Additionally, I have had other careers which afford me an expansive perspective and the ability to understand life from a non-therapist view.
In 1978, I graduated from San Diego State University, CA with Bachelor’s of Art in Telecommunications & Film, with a Minor in Spanish. I landed a job as a television advertising saleswoman with Cox Cable Two. There wasn't a lot of cable at that time and I had to learn salesmanship and belief in a product.
Next I worked as a producer and writer at the local ABC Television station in San Diego and learned many skills including video competence, the importance of knowing my audience and the impact of emotional connection.
In 1984 I graduated from Officer’s Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island and worked on the beginning of the Internet at the Defense Data Network. I learned many skills including computer proficiency, the importance of being prompt and available. My second duty assignment was as the Admiral’s Aide at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Again I learned many skills such as the ability to work with people from different countries and cultures from all over the world and the importance of attention to detail.
A Few Necessary Words
Regarding My Thoughts About
The REALMS
of
Religion,
Spirituality,
Belief Systems.
I honor and respect any person's choice in these REALMS.
So it is important that anyone choosing to work with me
knows where I stand.
After lengthy and rigorous investigation I have found much truth in all of the Belief Systems & Religions I have studied.
However, I do not accept any which condone doing harm to any living thing.
I choose to believe in
Inclusivity rather than Exclusivity
which I believe all the great teachers promote.
There is an excellent saying,
"You Spot It, You Got it."
Well, I detest Arrogance.
A lot.
So, just maybe I got some of it.
Yeah, I am a work in Progress too.
Sometimes it Takes A Leap of Faith
Even in therapy.
Well, perhaps especially in Therapy .
In my experience, sometimes my clients present new Life Challenges. However, many times people present with situations that I have personal experience with; experience that I have gone through and grown through the pain and "stuck-ness" they are currently in.
As a witness to their growth and by their own report of life-changes (see Testimonials) and thought shifts they have experienced, I would give a score of about 85-92% successful.
In my own life, I simply refuse to be a glum person. I know the dark hole of fear, depression, addiction(s), anxiety and "cruddy" dysfunctional relationships. And these experiences have been my biggest teachers (and YES I frequently fought learning the lessons myself).
It is therefore my goal to make the therapeutic experience as comfortable as possible. Because without a sense of safety and trust there can not be any change or growth. Sure, sometimes therapy may be serious and rather hard work, but in my experience this is not always the case. In fact, more often than not, I find that both my client(s) and I are laughing. It can an be amazingly fun experience. I know this may sound strange, but I have seen it happen over and over and over again. Laughter, what do "they" say? It IS the VERY BEST MEDICINE.
My Therapy Dog makes me laugh. Often.