- Family of origin issues
- Stress and anxiety
- CBT and DBT methods
About Joan
Joan French is an Illinois Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with 17 years of experience. She works with adults 18+ on stress, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, grief, and other life changes. Joan also supports people dealing with family of origin issues and questions about identity, including clients who identify as LGBTQIA2S+ or are exploring gender and sexuality.
Her sessions are conversational and practical. She listens for the patterns that keep repeating, then helps people notice choices that change those patterns. Joan uses techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy to teach coping skills and manage strong emotions. She also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Emotionally-Focused Therapy ideas to address values, connection, and difficult feelings.
Joan describes her work as trauma-informed and integrative. That means she blends several approaches depending on the person's goals. She may add communication skill building, anger management strategies, or art-based activities when they fit the work.
She trained with a Master of Arts in Community Counseling from Governors State University and holds an Art Therapy Certificate from Northwestern University. Joan frames the first sessions around what feels most important to the person and sets small, achievable steps.
Her style is straightforward and patient. Sessions focus on what to try between meetings as well as what happens during them. She emphasizes listening, practical tools, and shifting family patterns that continue to affect current life.
How Joan uses therapy approaches in online sessions
Joan commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in her work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people name their values and take small steps toward them, even with difficult thoughts or feelings. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and testing new behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety or low mood.She frames the choice of approach as a collaborative process. The therapist and client will review goals and try methods together to see what fits best. Adjustments are made based on what helps the person make progress in daily life and relationships.
Specific online session formats are not listed in the original biography, so confirm current options before booking. In general, online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions around work, childcare, or travel. It can also allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove the time spent commuting so people can use that slot for focused work. Joan uses practical exercises and skill practice that translate to virtual sessions, and she will agree on a plan that fits a person's schedule and preferred ways of working.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
17+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
Joan works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief, and coping with life changes. She also focuses on family of origin issues and related patterns.
What is her therapeutic style?
She keeps sessions practical and conversational, focusing on patterns from the past that affect current life. The work blends skill teaching with exploration of values and connection.
How long has she been practicing?
Joan has 17 years of clinical experience working with adults on a range of emotional and relational concerns.
What are her credentials and location?
She is an Illinois LCPC and practices from Illinois. Those initials stand for Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor.
Does she work in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Are international clients supported?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions structured and paid for?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Confirm current session formats and scheduling options before booking.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.