Burton "Burt" Swaim , LCSW

Burton "Burt" Swaim is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with more than 50 years of professional experience, licensed to practice in both California and Utah. He brings decades of direct clinical work to help people manage stress, anxiety, depression and addiction while supporting personal renewal and goal achievement.

He works with individuals on motivation, self-esteem, intimacy and relationship concerns, as well as grief, trauma and coping with life changes. His practice emphasizes identifying and challenging barriers to personal potential and building practical strategies to increase confidence and forward momentum. He creates an open, nonjudgmental environment where thoughts, feelings and behaviors can be explored and where active client participation shapes achievable goals and timelines.

Mr. Swaim has a long history of involvement in recovery-focused media and education. He co-produced documentary films supporting recovery from alcohol and chemical dependency, including "Living Sober Class of '76," which received high praise from Marty Mann, founder/director of the National Council on Alcoholism. He served as guest faculty in the Summer School on Alcohol Studies at the University of California San Diego, presenting on topics such as intimacy, sexuality and recovery, and he contributed to publishing efforts including Chaney Allen Washington's book "I'm Back and I'm Sober."

His consulting work has included advising the State of Montana on funding for alcoholism programs and serving as a personal consultant to the late Joan Kroc on recovery documentary projects - a partnership that supported major philanthropic initiatives. Most recently he and his wife Shirley published "Rebirth of the Broken Branches'", a true love story available on Amazon that highlights positive aspects of recovery and is being considered by an Academy Award winning writer for television adaptation.

He supports clients through a collaborative therapeutic process, combining a depth of life experience with professional skills to help people pursue a more fulfilling, happier and meaningful life.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Burton "Burt" Swaim draws on client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and existential therapy to support people through online sessions. Client-centered therapy emphasizes a respectful, empathetic stance in which the therapist listens closely and helps the person identify their own goals - this approach fits well for improving self-esteem, relationships and motivation. CBT focuses on the connections between thoughts, feelings and behaviors and provides practical tools to reduce anxiety, manage depression and modify unhelpful patterns. Existential therapy explores questions of meaning, responsibility and life direction and can be especially helpful for coping with major life changes, grief and decisions about values and purpose.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. He works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals and preferences, and adjusts the plan as progress unfolds. This shared process helps ensure therapy feels relevant and practical.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging, offering flexibility to fit different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to access licensed professionals from home or on the go, support continuity of care during life transitions, and allow therapy to be integrated into everyday routines.