About John
The Therapist Behind the Work
John Burt is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Master's-Level Recovery and Addiction Specialist (M-RAS) based in California. He works with individuals, couples, and families who are ready to move past surface-level coping and do the deeper work that creates lasting change.
John's approach is direct and evidence-based — grounded in proven therapeutic methods while remaining genuinely human. He doesn't believe in one-size-fits-all therapy. Every client brings a unique history, set of challenges, and definition of what a good life looks like. His job is to help you get there.
Before becoming a therapist, John lived through his own significant challenges — which is part of what makes him effective. He's not just trained in this work; he understands it from the inside. That lived experience informs how he shows up in the room: present, honest, and without judgment.
With 15 years of experience working in both private practice and the public sector, John brings a depth of real-world clinical knowledge that goes beyond the textbook. He has worked alongside individuals at every stage of recovery and every level of need — from crisis intervention to long-term therapeutic growth.
Credentials & Training
License
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), California
Certification
Master's-Level Recovery and Addiction Specialist (M-RAS), Breining Institute
Experience
15 years in private practice and public sector settings
Specialties
Anxiety, Depression, Trauma & PTSD, Addiction & Recovery, Couples Therapy, Life Transitions
Master's-Level Recovery and Addiction Specialist (M-RAS)
Awarded by Breining Institute · Est. 1986
About the Credential
Master's-Level Recovery and Addiction Specialist (M-RAS)
The M-RAS credential, awarded by Breining Institute, is a nationally recognized professional certification for clinicians who have demonstrated advanced competency in addiction counseling and recovery support. It is designed for master's-level practitioners who work with individuals and families affected by substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health conditions, and the complex dynamics of long-term recovery. The M-RAS reflects a rigorous standard of education, supervised clinical experience, and ethical practice — signifying that the holder is equipped to provide specialized, evidence-based care in the field of addiction and recovery.
Breining Institute has provided nationally recognized professional certification and higher education to healthcare professionals in 47 U.S. states and 18 countries since 1986.
Licensing & Certification Bodies
California Board of Behavioral Sciences
The California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) licenses and regulates Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors, and Licensed Educational Psychologists in the state of California.
Breining Institute
Breining Institute has provided nationally recognized professional certification and higher education to healthcare professionals since 1986. Healthcare professionals in 47 U.S. states and 18 countries hold professional credentials from Breining Institute.
How John Works
Therapy with John is not passive. You won't spend sessions talking in circles or waiting for insight to arrive on its own. Sessions are structured, intentional, and focused on real outcomes. John will challenge you — respectfully and directly — because that's what actually moves the needle.
“Don't Quit Your Daydream”
This isn't just a motto — it's a reminder that the life you want is still possible. Therapy is one of the most direct paths to it.
Behavioral Science & Clinical Mastery
Bridging Behavioral Science and Deep Clinical Mastery
For decades, the developmental disability and autism service model has suffered from a glaring structural flaw: it stops at pediatric compliance. When individuals reach adulthood, the traditional playbook of table work, discrete trial training, and early-interventions breaks down — frequently leading to burnout, severe dysregulation, and isolation.
My practice bridges this chasm. By fusing rigorous applied behavior analysis with third-wave psychotherapeutic modalities — ACT, DBT, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy — I provide an advanced clinical framework designed specifically for neurodivergent adolescents, adults, and complex dual-diagnosis systems.
The Academic & Scientific Lineage
True clinical innovation requires a firm foundation in behavioral science.
My clinical roots run directly back to the architects of the field.
Academic Pedagogy & Research
Trained under Dr. Bruce Hessi and collaborating in ongoing research with Dr. Carrie Dempsey (University of Florida), building directly upon the foundational methodologies of pioneers like Brian Iwata (behavioral momentum and functional analysis) and Julie Vargas (B.F. Skinner's lineage).
Clinical Leadership & Crisis Intervention
Years of field experience spanning center-based supervision at Jane Howard's organizations, regional center crisis contracting with CBM, and leadership roles at CARD Livermore.
Systems Leadership & Feedback-Informed Care
A proven track record of driving institutional excellence at scale.
Beyond direct clinical care, I have led measurement-based initiatives that changed how entire systems deliver care.
Kaiser Permanente Leadership Board
Served a three-year term on the Northern California Feedback-Informed Care leadership board alongside top regional minds, spearheading research and implementation initiatives.
Measurement-Based Care & Lucet Training
Guided clinicians and managers across 4–5 behavioral health programs in Northern California on the clinical application of Feedback-Informed Care and the integration of data platforms like Lucet — designing structured training to curb bias, track client progress, and elevate standard of care.
Proven Clinical Outcomes
During my tenure leading outpatient implementation across behavioral health and substance use departments at Kaiser, the metrics spoke for themselves.
<1%
Crisis Rate
Maintained severe suicidality and crisis rate under 1% across high-risk populations.
10–15%
Outcome Improvement
Increase in positive treatment outcomes over two years through targeted clinician training on dialectical grounding and bias reduction.
Multi-year highs
Patient Retention
Achieved record patient satisfaction and return rates across behavioral health and substance use programs.
Services Offered
Where this expertise meets your needs.
Specialized Psychotherapy & Skills Training
Telehealth
Individualized DBT, ACT, and behavioral regulation for neurodivergent adults and those navigating the post-21 transition.
System-Level Clinical Consulting & FIC Training
Organizations & Programs
Training residential facilities, adult-day programs, and developmental agencies on crisis intervention, staff bias reduction, third-wave behavioral implementation, and measurement-based feedback systems.
Complex Case Review & Advocacy
Families, Consultants & Legal Partners
High-level case analysis and systemic consultation for families, educational consultants, and legal partners navigating difficult developmental trajectories.
Let's See If We're a Good Fit
The first step is a conversation. Reach out and we'll figure out together if working with John makes sense for where you are right now.