- Trauma-informed approach
- Seventeen years experience
- LGBTQIA2S+ welcoming
About Joan
Joan French is a licensed clinical professional counselor with 17 years of experience. She focuses on helping adults who feel unheard, lonely, or stuck by offering a steady, listening presence. Joan centers on clear connection so people can say the hard things and start feeling better.
She creates a calm, judgement-free space where people can speak openly. Joan draws on several practical methods to match what each person needs. She uses plain language, a warm tone, and sometimes light humor to ease difficult conversations.
Her background includes a Master of Arts in Community Counseling from Governors State University and an Art Therapy Certificate from Northwestern University. Joan blends clinical skills with life experience to help people manage depression, anxiety, grief, and relationship struggles. She also works with those navigating gender identity questions and members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community.
Joan describes her approach as trauma-informed and integrative. She often uses techniques from cognitive behavioral work, dialectical behavior ideas, emotionally focused methods, and acceptance and commitment practices. She may bring in art-based activities and communication skill-building when helpful.
Clients who want a patient, resourceful counselor will find a practical focus in sessions. Joan aims to help people build clearer communication, manage strong emotions, and move through life changes. She welcomes adults age 18 and older seeking individual support in Illinois.
How Joan’s Approaches Fit into Online Work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people notice unhelpful thoughts and choose actions that align with their values. It can help with anxiety, depression, and feeling stuck. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at patterns of thinking and behavior and teaches practical strategies to change them, which is useful for stress, sleep issues, and mood concerns. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) helps people name and work with strong emotions to improve relationships and emotional connection.Finding the right approach is part of the process. Joan talks with each person about goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. She collaborates with clients to try methods and then adjusts the plan based on what works in real life.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm the available options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins during a work break, or avoid travel time. It also lets people use tools like emotion-focused exercises or CBT worksheets between meetings to reinforce new skills. Talk with Joan during the matching process to decide which approach and scheduling options best fit everyday life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
17+ years
Credentials
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Joan address in sessions?
She supports adults with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship struggles, sleep problems, career stress, and life transitions. Additional focuses include codependency, attachment wounds, abandonment, and communication or control issues.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Joan uses a trauma-informed, integrative style that is warm and practical. Sessions are conversational and focused on building communication and coping skills, with occasional use of humor.
What experience does she bring to this work?
She has 17 years of experience as a therapeutic counselor and combines clinical practice with life experience to guide adults through depression, anxiety, and relationship concerns.
What are Joan's credentials and where is she based?
Joan holds an LCPC, which is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, and she practices in Illinois. Her training includes a Master of Arts in Community Counseling and an Art Therapy Certificate.
Which languages are offered for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with Joan?
She is not currently accepting international clients.
How does scheduling and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Exact pricing is provided during the matching and scheduling process.
What should I do to begin working with Joan?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability to begin the process.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.