John Sommer Counseling

John Sommer Counseling John Sommer is a licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)/ Supervisor and is a National Certified Addi Mr. With over 45 years of counseling experience, Mr. John S.

John Sommer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)/ Supervisor and holds certifications as an Advanced Addiction Counselor (AAC) in the state of Texas and as a National Certified Addiction Counselor (NCAC II). Sommer remains active in the counseling community with his membership in both the national and Texas chapters of the Association of Addiction Professionals and contributes locally as an Administrator of the Texas Alcohol Traffic Safety Education Program. Sommer continues to provide services to both the 35th Judicial District Adult and Juvenile Probation Departments of Brownwood, TX and the 220th Judicial District Juvenile Probation Department of Comanche, TX. He specializes in working with children and adolescents with difficulties in family, social and emotional behaviors. His adult clients seek assistance in a variety of issues from relationships to depression to developing greater assertive skills. Sommer Counseling is a provider for Blue Cross/Blue Shield, CHIP, Tri-Care, VA, Medicare and Medicaid. Basically everyone except Magellan. He is also the EAP provider for a number of businesses in the area. All persons and situations reflected in John's writings are fictional, based on generalizations over the course of many years of counseling. Any actual events or settings have been changed, including names and other details, to protect client confidentiality.

10/31/2025

Ya know, for a guy who hasn't watched any ball games throughout the year, I'm almost embarrassed about the level of excitement and enthusiasm I have at World Series time. This one has been full of greatness from both teams. If Toronto pulls this off, a few gamblers are going to be very wealthy. Viva la series!!

09/26/2025

Teen Social Issues

Hey John,
I haven’t seen your column in a while. Are you still around? Hoping that you are; I need an idea or two from you. I am the mother of 4 kids, ages 5-15. I am happily married and my husband and I do a pretty good job with our children. I am concerned about my 15 year old daughter. She’s bright, generally well behaved and a pretty good student. However, she had become very isolated in her existence. She is not interested in extra-curricular activities at school. When she gets home, she wants to live in her room with her phone. We monitor her phone for inappropriate sites, but she has still become more and more isolated. I fear for her eventually living a solitary existence, like an old woman with a house full of cats. Am I over dramatizing? If not, what can I do to help her?
Midwestern Mom

Dear MM,

Without meaning to minimize your concerns, welcome to the seemingly new world of teenagers. We can debate the origin of the prevalent social isolation: cell phones, post covid, single parenting, electronic babysitters, etc. However, it may be none of the above. Clinically, we should rule out depression. Although I recognize the problematic massive over-prescribing of anti-depressants to teens, the least we can do is check for vitamin deficiency. Vitamin D – or rather lack of it can be a major contributor to depression. Considering many teens lousy dietary habits as well as their non-sunlight indoor activities can lead to a deficiency in vitamin D.

In my years of working with teens, I have noted that some personality characteristics can be misinterpreted. A quiet, not very verbal child may look depressed or angry or unwilling to communicate. I have been surprised that what I initially interpreted as a disinterested 16 year old boy, who would rather be anywhere than with me, was quite willing to continue to come in. Although I would do a majority of the talking, his parents reported an improvement in his “attitude” at home. So, can counseling help, at least somewhat? Yes, but I feel strongly that the parents should meet with the counselor to routinely provide important information to the counselor and to determine whether he/she is a good fit for their child. So let’s get down to the nut crackin’:
* Parents should always have cell phone rules such as monitoring the frequency of use (at least to a certain degree) and rules about when the phone should be turned off. Provide a convenient “charging station” away from the child at night.
* Regardless of the lack of enthusiasm, have our kids participate in family activities. This can be cooking a meal together, bowling together, playing putt-putt golf, or Sunday movie night with some regularity. These activities provide a gently “forced” social interaction. Use your creativity to plan events. Do not be too disappointed if our child is not very enthusiastic about participating. Don’t get mad at your challenged kid, just lovingly stick to your guns.
* Recognize the differences between your kids’ personalities. Parents often have the challenge of one or more of their children that they have a hard time relating to. So what? How good of a parent do you want to be? Learn to adapt.
* Don’t forget about the vitamin D thing.

Even when it seems like our parenting is falling short, dedication, hard work, good role modeling and love have the deepest impact on the future of our children. You might get discouraged, but never give up. Ever.

John S. Sommer
LCSW
9/25

09/25/2025

Yes! "Hey John" is alive and well. Coming soon: What to do about my 15 year old who has become socially isolated? Stay tuned..

08/22/2025

To celebrate the 7th anniversary of my imaginarily-famous War On Dear Crabby, I will repost the abbreviated letter, and my response, via "Hey John". Is she still alive?

The Imaginary War With Dear Crabby, pt IV
8/23/2018
Ok y’all, let’s have a little talk here. I could make an additional career criticizing a millionaire “advice” columnist. Out of fairness, most issues she writes about are pretty lightweight, and she does ok. But the reality is, if your opinion is important to someone and carries some credibility, you are obligated to not let your own bias’ or personal preferences color your advice. More directly, you need to not be a knucklehead and screw somebody up. “For instance?” you might ask? Well folks, this is Crabigail’s column from August, 2018. Excuse the paraphrasing, but I’ll try to be accurate. Go ahead, sit down. Don’t read this while you’re driving.
Dear Ms. Crabby,
I’ve been married to my husband for 28 years. My (female) friend has been married for 30. Recently she gave me a soft kiss on the neck. I didn’t respond, but I can’t stop thinking about her. Can two straight women jump ship and fall in love with each other? Oh, Obi Wan, please help me. Tell me what to do.
Kissee
[Crabby’s abbreviated response]
Dear Ms Kissee,
Yes, people of the same s*x can fall for each other. I can’t tell you what to do. “Much will depend on what she has to say…..”
_________________________
[Sound of brakes slamming on: screeeeech!]. WHAT did you just say? Is that some mutated misprint? Ok Crabs, for the sake of equality, let’s change the genders around. “My film director came over and gave me a sloppy kiss on the neck. He knows how long I’ve been married. Is it ok for me to fall in love with him? Crabby, does he seem like a good guy to you? Should I leave my husband and kids for him? I sure could use your most important guidance. Do you think “much will depend upon what he has to say”?
So Jeannie, aka Dear Crabby Jr., at least consider this:
Dear Kissee,
At what point do we surrender to temptation? What did you teach your kids about using drugs? What about early s*xual activity? Did you try to instill principles to help them make conscientious decisions? Was it som**hing like, “son, if a m**h pipe appears at a party, you’re going to be faced with a decision. Should you just turn and leave? Should you use because other people are? Or use because you are tempted? We all face some tough decisions in our lives. I hope you make decisions that are consistent with your beliefs.”
Or som**hing like that.
It seems like when Crabby addresses Kissee’s same-s*x question, perhaps she thinks that taking a position might be viewed as anti-same s*x. So instead you advise her to wait until hot lips makes a decision about her? Most people make more competent decisions when they make them their selves.
You might want to also suggest that she have a little “needs love” discussion with husband of 28 years. She doesn’t have to bust hot lips, just have a loving talk with her husband. I’d hate to think that after 28 years, my wife and I couldn’t have meaningful discussions with each other. If she wants to jump the fence with neckkisser, she’s got lots of time to do it. Let’s try some problem solving first.
So Crabigail, it shouldn’t be all about the money. You may be pulling in a bunch of cash, but it is supposed to be about helping people. You don’t always have to be people’s moral compass, but you’re sure as hell not supposed to do harm. Some letters may be light and simple, but some are life-changingly serious. My unsolicited advice is add some people to your staff who have their feet squarely planted on the ground. Then you can get some additional ideas to consider. Either that or take your inappropriate big bucks and retire. Then do what your mother should have done and retire the name too.

John Sommer

Okie dokie F'book friends, it's that time again. Yes, it's time to dog a seventy-five year old columnist disguised as a pseudo counselor. The Imaginary War On Dear Crabby reaches new heights with this upcoming piece of wisdom she has dispensed. It goes to "press" on Friday,

Address

2900 Coggin Avenue
Brownwood, TX
76801

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 6:30pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 6:30pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 6:30pm
Thursday 9:30am - 6:30pm
Friday 9:30am - 6:30pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when John Sommer Counseling posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category

The Story

John Sommer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)/ Supervisor and holds certifications as an Advanced Addiction Counselor (AAC) in the state of Texas and as a National Certified Addiction Counselor (NCAC II). Mr. Sommer remains active in the counseling community with his membership in both the national and Texas chapters of the Association of Addiction Professionals and contributes locally as an Administrator of the Texas Alcohol Traffic Safety Education Program. With over 40 years of counseling experience, Mr. Sommer continues to provide services to both the 35th Judicial District Adult and Juvenile Probation Departments of Brownwood, TX and the 220th Judicial District Juvenile Probation Department of Comanche, TX. He specializes in working with children and adolescents with difficulties in family, social and emotional behaviors. His adult clients seek assistance in a variety of issues from relationships to depression to developing greater assertive skills. John S. Sommer Counseling is a provider for Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Tri-Care, CHIP, Medicare, Medicaid and a whole lot of other insurance companies. He is also the EAP provider for a number of businesses in the area. All persons and situations reflected in John's writings are pretty much fictional, based on generalizations over the course of many years of counseling. Any actual events or settings have been changed, including names and other details, to protect client confidentiality.