John Kinlaw, Resident In Counseling
John’s pronouns are: He/Him
John helps kids & adults who feel overwhelmed, misunderstood, or disconnected gain clarity, confidence, and direction.
Many of John's clients are doing their best to manage difficult emotions, relationship challenges, anxiety, stress, or major life transitions, but still find themselves having the same arguments, repeating the same patterns, or feeling uncertain about how to create meaningful change.
He provides a supportive space where clients can better understand themselves, develop practical coping skills, and move toward a life that feels more meaningful and aligned with their values.
Child & Teen Therapy
John enjoys working with kids and teens who are struggling with anxiety, emotional regulation, self-esteem, peer relationships, family conflict, or life changes.
Some children come to therapy because they are having behavioral challenges at home or school, while others feel overwhelmed by emotions they do not yet have the words to express. Some are struggling with anxiety, confidence, friendships, ADHD, or adjusting to changes within their family. Teens often face pressures related to friendships, dating relationships, identity, academics, social media, and uncertainty about the future. Many simply need a safe place where they can explore their feelings, build emotional awareness, and learn healthier ways of coping while figuring out who they are becoming.
John helps young clients better understand their emotions, build confidence, strengthen coping skills, and develop greater trust in themselves. Using play therapy, creative expression, games, storytelling, and other developmentally appropriate approaches, he keeps kids and teens engaged in therapy in ways that feel natural and meaningful.
He also works collaboratively with parents and caregivers, helping them better understand what may be happening beneath the behavior and supporting them in creating lasting change outside of sessions.
Therapy for Adults
John works with adults who feel caught between where they are and where they want to be, whether in their relationships, careers, family roles, or personal growth.
Many adults come to therapy feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities, struggling with self-criticism, people-pleasing, perfectionism, or uncertainty about their next steps. Some feel emotionally exhausted from taking care of everyone else while neglecting their own needs. Others find themselves having the same conflicts, communication struggles, or relationship challenges over and over again and want to better understand why.
John helps adults develop greater self-awareness, strengthen communication skills, identify unhelpful patterns, and build confidence in making choices that align with who they want to be. His goal is not simply to help clients feel better, but to help them build a life that feels more authentic, purposeful, and fulfilling..
Anxiety, Relationships & Life Transitions
John is particularly passionate about helping clients navigate anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, identity development, and significant life transitions.
Whether you are adjusting to a new stage of life, struggling with uncertainty about the future, navigating grief or loss, or feeling disconnected from yourself, John provides a space to better understand your experiences, clarify what matters most, and move forward with greater confidence and resilience.
He believes that many people are not lacking motivation or effort. Instead, they often need support in understanding their experiences, clarifying their values, and developing new ways of responding to life's challenges.
Approach To Therapy
John's approach is rooted in person-centered therapy and informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). He believes meaningful growth happens through a therapeutic relationship built on trust, authenticity, and collaboration.
His style is warm, genuine, and approachable. He meets clients where they are while gently encouraging them toward growth through honest conversations, curiosity, creativity, and practical tools they can use outside of therapy.
With children, John incorporates child-centered play therapy, games, storytelling, art, and creative activities that help kids express feelings and work through challenges in ways that feel natural and engaging. Parents often find that children quickly feel comfortable with John, allowing trust to grow and therapy to become a place where they can build emotional awareness, confidence, and healthier coping skills.
Clients often leave sessions feeling more understood, emotionally aware, and confident in their ability to navigate life's challenges and build stronger relationships.
John meets with clients in person in Richmond, VA and offers virtual therapy across Virginia.
Interested in learning more about Therapy with Eleanor?
Practice Areas & Client Focus
Licenses And Certifications:
Resident in Counseling - Virginia
Ages Served: Children (5+), Teens (13+), Adults (18+)
Areas of Expertise:
Children & Teens: Anxiety, Stress, Depression, Emotional Regulation, PTSD, Trauma, Grief / Loss, Parenting Concerns, Parental Separation, Handling Life Changes / Transitions, ADHD, Behavioral Issues, Neurodivergence, Identity Exploration, Self-Esteem / Confidence, Peer Relationships, School Anxiety or School Stress, Social Skills.
Adults: Grief, Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Young Adulthood, Relationship Issues, Neurodivergence, ADHD, adjusting to changes, Self-Esteem, Stress & Burnout, Identity Exploration, Personal Growth, Communication & Boundaries, People Pleasing, Self-Criticism,
Treatment Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), LGBTQ-Affirming, Neuro-Affirming, Play Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy.
Insurance & Logistics
In-Network with: Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Aetna, Cigna, Sentara.
Availability: In-Person and Online Counseling (Telehealth).
Office Address: 5540 Falmouth St, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23230. Conveniently located near Willow Lawn and St. Mary's Hospital, serving the West End, Midlothian (20 min), and Hanover (25 min). View regional directions here.
Read articles from our team on the Launchpad blog:
Continue Exploring Our Counselors
