About Gary
Gary Ratliff is a licensed independent social worker (LISW) practicing in Ohio with 10 years of experience in mental health and addiction settings. He focuses on building a respectful, understanding relationship and tailors conversations to each person's needs. Gary aims to help people take the first steps toward greater well-being.
He speaks English and draws on several evidence-based approaches when appropriate. He uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people accept difficult feelings while taking steps toward meaningful goals.
How Gary works
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy are tools he uses to change thinking patterns and improve emotional regulation. Mindfulness and client-centered work shape sessions so people feel heard and can notice what matters most to them. Gary often supports people facing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, and issues with anger or self-esteem.
He also addresses addictions, grief, sleeping problems, career concerns, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and compassion fatigue. Additional areas he works with include chronic pain and illness, codependency, communication problems, and life purpose. Sessions are adapted to a person’s situation and progress.
Conversations are straightforward and focused on practical steps that match the person’s goals. Gary encourages collaboration on a clear plan and adjusts as needs change. People who want to begin can expect a calm, goal-focused approach that balances problem solving with acceptance and self-awareness.
Gary lists 9 ways of working on the entry:
What Gary works with
The areas below are the ones Gary selected when setting up a profile. The first few are listed as the main focus; the rest are also named.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Anger management
Also listed
- Abandonment
- Addictions
- ADHD
- Bipolar disorder
- Blended family issues
- Career difficulties
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Compassion fatigue
- Control issues
- Coping with life changes
- Dependent personality
- Depression
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Family conflicts
- Fatherhood issues
- Forgiveness
- Grief
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- Isolation / loneliness
- LGBT
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Personality disorders
- Phobias
- Post-traumatic stress
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self esteem
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Sleeping disorders
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Workplace issues
Training and background
| Register | LISW |
|---|---|
| Years in practice | 10 |
| Languages | English |
| Session format | Online: video, phone, live chat or messaging |
| Country | Ohio |
Memberships and registers are shown as supplied; they are not licences, and this directory does not verify them.
Online support options
Evidence-Informed Approaches for Online Care
Gary uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck, then choose actions that align with their values. This approach can be useful for anxiety, depression, and life transitions. He also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify and change unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors, which often helps with stress, mood struggles, and sleeping problems.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Gary collaborates with each person to match methods to their goals and preferences. He explains options, tries practical exercises, and adjusts the plan over time so the approach stays useful and relevant.
Online therapy offers several practical benefits. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues, while phone sessions work well when bandwidth or camera use is limited. Live chat and text-based messaging are helpful for brief check-ins, coping skill practice, or when someone prefers typing. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules and to continue work between sessions.
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Common questions
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How much clinical experience does he have?
What are his credentials and where is he based?
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A practical next step
Write down two things you would want to be different in six months. That is the most useful thing to bring to a first session, whoever it is with. If you would rather start now than keep reading, online sessions are the quickest route.
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