My work with children and adolescents ranging from the ages of 3 to 17 years old includes working to address: 

• Anxiety

• depression

• bullying

• self-harming behaviors

• low self-esteem

• child abuse

• sexual trauma

• difficulty regulating emotions

• ADHD

…all while trying to navigate their day to day lives. I love to incorporate play therapy, art therapy, sand play therapy, and a TON of empathy when working with your child. 

As a parent, I can understand that your child’s wellbeing is invaluable and it is my goal to help you identify how to best support your child’s needs. I encourage parental engagement within the therapeutic process as a tool to help strengthen your child’s support system and coping skills. I also support parents in building an emotionally safe and balanced home. 

My work isn’t limited to working with little ones. I also love working with women across the life span. My clients typically come to see me hoping to address:

• loss of their sense of identity

• childhood abuse or sexual trauma

• life transitions 

• anxiety, depression

• motherhood/personal life balance

• BIPOC women navigating professional settings and over performance challenges 

• emotional burnout

• overall unhappiness with life 

It’s ok if you can’t identify with any of those topics previously listed, because the therapeutic process often leads us to clarity in the areas we feel most unsettled in. 

I help women identify and challenge their negative behaviors and thoughts, misaligned beliefs, negative thoughts, and self-sabotage behaviors by engaging in conversation and offering a reflecting perspective. I celebrate my clients wins, no matter how small it may seem. I enjoy teaching my clients how to be mindful and present in the here and now.  I ultimately believe that we are NEVER TRULY LOST but right where we need to be in this exact moment. And for you… that moment is taking the next step to schedule you or your child’s first session. And lastly, please know that I consider it an honor to do this work and a joy to meet you.  

My educational and professional work experiences have allowed me to gain a wealth of skill and knowledge over the past 15 years. I have also had wonderful training experiences in the areas of play therapy, art therapy, sand play therapy, trauma focused CBT and mindfulness techniques.

Joanne can be reached at joanne@gaiacounseling.com