Jerry Utt , LCSW

Jerry Utt brings three decades of clinical social work experience to his practice, combining military behavioral health training with advanced social work education. He began his professional journey after graduating from the United States Army Academy of Health Sciences, Behavioral Health Division, and completing initial clinical training at Letterman Army Medical Center at the Presidio of San Francisco. He later earned a Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina and achieved licensure as a clinical social worker (LCSW).

Over a 30 year career, he has provided care in both inpatient and outpatient settings, developing particular skill in crisis intervention for people facing severe dysfunction in daily life. He works with a range of behavioral health and substance use concerns, addressing complex presentations that may involve co-occurring conditions. His approach includes evidence-informed trauma work, drawing on Cognitive Processing Therapy when trauma is central to a person’s difficulties, and Motivational Interviewing to build engagement in treatment. He also applies Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques to help manage anger and reduce self-harm behaviors.

Jerry emphasizes a collaborative relationship that focuses on practical change and coping skills. He works with individuals facing stress, anxiety, grief, addiction, relationship and family challenges, mood disorders, attention difficulties, and other life transitions, guiding each person toward clearer goals and more effective daily functioning.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Jerry Utt integrates several evidence-informed methods to help people manage distress and build meaningful change. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, focuses on helping individuals clarify personal values and take committed action while learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings - it is often useful for anxiety, stress, and life transitions. Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early relational patterns influence current relationships and emotional responses, helping people improve connection, trust, and communication in family or intimate relationships. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, teaches practical skills to identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, and is commonly used for mood disorders, anger, and anxiety.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Jerry works with each person to evaluate needs, goals, and preferences and to adjust techniques over time so the treatment fits the individual rather than forcing a single method.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to engage in this work. Through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, clients can access licensed professionals from home or elsewhere, fit sessions into busy schedules, and maintain continuity of care when circumstances change.