About John M. Fugett, MA, LPC, NCC
John M. Fugett is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Alaska and a National Certified Counselor (NCC) specializing in work with adults and adolescents aged sixteen and older. He provides both individual and couples counseling through a TeleHealth-based practice.
John earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Arts in Counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. He was first licensed in 1996 as a Mental Health Counselor in Florida and relocated to Anchorage in 2005.
A Veteran Therapist in a Changing World
With more than thirty years of counseling experience, John’s work has evolved alongside the field itself. After the pandemic, when TeleHealth proved itself to be as effective as in-person care, he chose to continue offering therapy virtually. His practice remains based in Alaska, with plans to expand licensure to additional states to better serve clients wherever they are.
He currently sees up to thirty clients per week, primarily Alaska residents, and intends to keep his practice intentionally small to maintain focus and availability.
A Life of Service and Experience
Before entering the mental health field, John served ten years in the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. After leaving the service in 1991, he began work as a substance abuse counselor, operating three halfway houses for men in recovery.
He went on to serve as a primary psychotherapist in a private partial-hospitalization program, and later with community mental health centers in Florida and Alaska. John helped pioneer the first Florida Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) team and later directed adult services for Anchorage Community Mental Health Services before opening his private practice in 2013.
Throughout his career, John has presented nationally and locally, including at the National GAINS Conference, the National Association of Social Workers, and the Alaska Division of Behavioral Health Change Agent Conference. He has also taught at the University of Alaska Anchorage and Prince William Sound Community College, focusing on psychology, peer support, and motivational interviewing.
Approach and Philosophy
John draws from a broad range of therapeutic models, including Interpersonal Neurobiology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. He has specialized training in treating early childhood trauma and integrates those insights into his work with both individuals and couples.
He believes that while skill and technique are essential, the true foundation of successful therapy lies in the relationship itself. Each session is guided by compassion, curiosity, and respect for the client’s own goals and pace of growth.
John works collaboratively, offering practical feedback and tailored interventions that help people address personal challenges and strengthen their relationships.
Beyond the Office
John has been married for forty-two years and is the father of three adult daughters—a writer, a traveling nurse, and an artist-scientist. His family is spread across the country, and TeleHealth allows him to balance meaningful work with time spent visiting them.
He remains active in professional organizations including the American Counseling Association and the American Psychological Association. John also served on the Alaska State Mental Health Board, NAMI Anchorage, and the board of Soteria Alaska.
Karen Fugett, BA Business Administrator
