Joan French

I’ve met with many clients who have shared they don’t feel really heard or understood by others. As a result-they feel lonely, isolated, and hopeless. I believe that to feel a sense of personal wellness we must also feel heard & connected! Finding and connecting with a counselor is a valuable and courageous choice to move forward! It is important for me to create a space where my clients feel trusting and comfortable. This space is a ‘judgement-free zone’. I want to create an atmosphere in relationship to my clients in which they can share those things which might feel ‘unspeakable’. It has been my experience that those are the things that need saying. I have a well-seasoned 17+ years of experience working as a therapeutic counselor. I am thankful to be able to do this work! I consider myself to be a resourceful, creative, & patient therapist with a robust combination of life experience, clinical expertise, and therapeutic skill. My trauma-informed approach may be considered integrative, as I will often utilize techniques from: CBT, DBT, IFS, Positive Communication Skill Building, Anger Management, and Art Therapy. I must also add here that I try to incorporate humor, when appropriate. Let’s call this ‘chuckle healing’. Currently I am accepting individual adult clients 18+. I see a wide variety of clients seeking treatment for depression, anxiety, adjustment concerns, and more. Additionally, I welcome those who identify as LGBTQIA2S+, or who are exploring/questioning. I received my Master of Arts Degree in Community Counseling from Governors State University, and I received an Art Therapy Certificate from Northwestern University. I’d consider it an honor to be a part of your journey.