Hi there! I’m Joanne Charles, though most people simply call me Jo. I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 14 years of experience helping children, teens, and adults navigate life’s challenges. Originally from New York, I now proudly call Georgia home, where I live with my family.

I truly love being a therapist. It is an incredible privilege to walk alongside people during some of life’s most difficult moments and witness their resilience, healing, and growth. I believe therapy should be a place where you feel safe, understood, and empowered to create meaningful change.

I earned my Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Alliance University in Nyack, New York. My clinical approach is rooted in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Play Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, and Gestalt Therapy. Every client is unique, so I tailor treatment to meet your individual needs while creating a space that is warm, collaborative, and free of judgment.

Over the years, I’ve found myself especially drawn 3 groups of clients that I affectionately call “The Littles,” “The Middles,” & “The Everyday Adults.”

The Littles

The Littles are children ages 3 through elementary school. I work with children who struggle with emotional regulation, behavioral challenges at home or school, anxiety, depression, social anxiety, low self-esteem, and confidence. I also specialize in helping children who have experienced trauma, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, or other traumatic events. Through play therapy, expressive arts, and trauma-informed interventions, I help children process their experiences, build confidence, strengthen emotional regulation skills, and discover healthy ways to express themselves.

The Middles

The Middles are middle and high school students navigating one of the most challenging seasons of life. Whether they’re struggling with anxiety, depression, friendships, identity, school stress, self-esteem, behavioral concerns, or the effects of trauma, I provide a supportive environment where they can feel heard, understood, and equipped with practical tools to thrive.

The Everyday Adults

Life doesn’t always go according to plan. The Everyday Adults are individuals navigating life’s transitions—whether that’s a career change, relationship challenges, parenting, grief and loss, burnout, anxiety, or simply feeling stuck or disconnected. Together, we’ll explore what’s keeping you from living the life you want while developing healthier ways to manage stress, increase self-awareness, practice mindfulness, and reconnect with the version of yourself you’ve been missing.

Within the Everyday Adults I also provide trauma informed therapy for adult survivors of childhood trauma, sexual assault, and violent crime. Healing after trauma isn’t about “getting over it”—it’s about reclaiming your sense of safety, identity, and hope. I incorporate mindfulness and evidence-based therapeutic techniques, I help clients process difficult experiences, reconnect with themselves, cultivate self-compassion, and move toward lasting healing.

Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or your child, my goal is to provide a warm, welcoming space where you feel seen, heard, valued, and never judged. Healing is possible, and you don’t have to navigate it alone.

If you’re considering beginning your healing journey, I’d be honored to walk alongside you. Together, we’ll celebrate your progress, work through life’s challenges, and create meaningful change—one step at a time.

I can’t wait to meet you.

—Jo

Joanne can be reached at joanne@gaiacounseling.com