- Trauma-informed approach
- Adult clients 18+
- Sleep and rest concerns
About Joan
Joan French is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with 17 years of experience who helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, grief, and sleep difficulties. She welcomes adults 18 and over, including people who identify as LGBTQIA2S+ or are exploring gender and identity questions. Joan aims to build a trusting space where people feel heard and safe enough to speak about painful or shame-filled experiences.
Joan works in a direct, down-to-earth way. She combines practical skills with creativity and a bit of humor when it fits. Sessions often focus on clear tools for coping, communication practice, and ways to calm anxiety and improve sleep. She describes her approach as trauma-informed and integrative, using techniques drawn from several evidence-informed methods.
Her background includes a Master of Arts degree in Community Counseling from Governors State University and an Art Therapy Certificate from Northwestern University. Those studies inform a practice that may include art-based exercises alongside talk therapy. Joan says she aims to be resourceful, patient, and creative when helping people sort through difficult feelings.
In session she may teach skills from cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy, build emotional connection through emotionally-focused techniques, and support values-based action with acceptance and commitment work. She also offers help with family-of-origin issues, attachment wounds, codependency, abandonment concerns, and problems around commitment and communication.
People who are struggling with isolation, shame, or the aftermath of trauma can expect a steady, empathetic clinician who prioritizes listening first and practical next steps second. Joan invites prospective clients to reach out and consider whether her style feels like a good match.
Approaches that translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, focuses on helping people notice what matters to them and take small steps toward those values even when hard feelings show up. It often helps with anxiety, depression, and motivation struggles. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, teaches straightforward skills to change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns that affect mood and sleep. It is commonly used for anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. Emotionally-Focused Therapy helps people identify and make sense of strong emotions and improve how they express needs and connect with others.Choosing the best approach is a collaborative process. Joan listens to each person’s goals and preferences, then suggests which methods to try first. The plan can change over time based on what feels most helpful, and clients and the therapist make those decisions together.
Specific session formats are not listed here, so confirm the available options before scheduling. Many people find that remote work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, shorten travel time, and allow for flexible check-ins when stress or sleep problems flare. Online sessions can also make it simpler to practice skills between meetings and to bring real-life scheduling concerns into the conversation.
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 commonly address?
She supports people with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship difficulties, and sleep and rest problems, along with areas like codependency and attachment issues.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is trauma-informed, practical, and warm. She combines clear skill teaching with creative exercises and occasional humor.
What is her professional background?
She has 17 years of counseling experience and uses an integrative approach that draws on multiple therapy methods.
What credentials and location are listed for this clinician?
Joan holds an LCPC credential and practices in Illinois.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with this therapist?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How do session formats work for online or remote therapy?
Session formats are not specified here; please confirm the current session options before booking.
How does payment and getting started work?
Cost varies by location and uses a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.