Rodney Black, LCSW, LISW

Rodney Black is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) practicing in Iowa with 31 years of professional experience. He has worked mostly in community-based settings and draws on decades of direct practice. He lists concerns such as addictions, trauma and abuse, anger, self-esteem, career, LGBT issues, and coping with life changes among his areas of focus.

Rodney grew up in the Midwest and has lived in California and South Carolina. He served in the US military with a deployment to Afghanistan and held a senior enlisted role in human intelligence. Personal experience with a parent who had bipolar disorder and borderline personality features, and his own recovery from addiction, inform his perspective on care.

He describes therapy as a practical, creative process where skills and techniques are combined with human interaction. Sessions focus on listening, developing clearer personal values, and building skills to manage emotions and behavior. He uses approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Attachment-Based work, and Client-Centered methods.

Rodney emphasizes bringing life experience and long-term practice to the work. He often helps people talk through family of origin issues, fatherhood concerns, gender identity matters, and feelings of emptiness or isolation. He also supports those dealing with substance use, codependency, guilt and shame, and midlife or career crossroads.

His background in community settings shapes a practical style that blends skill teaching with reflective conversation. People who feel stuck after a major change or who want steady, experienced guidance about purpose and next steps may find this approach a useful fit.

How his approaches translate to online work