I've met with many clients who have shared they don't feel really heard or understood by others. As a result-they feel lonely, isolated, and hopeless. I believe that to feel a sense of personal wellness we must also feel heard & connected!
Finding and connecting with a counselor is a valuable and courageous choice to move forward! It is important for me to create a space where my clients feel trusting and comfortable. This space is a 'judgement-free zone'. I want to create an atmosphere in relationship to my clients in which they can share those things which might feel 'unspeakable'. It has been my experience that those are the things that need saying.
I have a well-seasoned 17+ years of experience working as a therapeutic counselor. I am thankful to be able to do this work! I consider myself to be a resourceful, creative, & patient therapist with a robust combination of life experience, clinical expertise, and therapeutic skill.
My trauma-informed approach may be considered integrative, as I will often utilize techniques from: CBT, DBT, IFS, Positive Communication Skill Building, Anger Management, and Art Therapy. I must also add here that I try to incorporate humor, when appropriate. Let's call this 'chuckle healing'.
Currently I am accepting individual adult clients 18+. I see a wide variety of clients seeking treatment for depression, anxiety, adjustment concerns, and more. Additionally, I welcome those who identify as LGBTQIA2S+, or who are exploring/questioning.
I received my Master of Arts Degree in Community Counseling from Governors State University, and I received an Art Therapy Certificate from Northwestern University.
I'd consider it an honor to be a part of your journey.
Additional areas of focus:LGBT, Family conflicts, Grief, Sleeping disorders, Career difficulties, Coping with life changes, Abandonment, Attachment issues, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Divorce and separation, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Forgiveness, Gender dysphoria, Guilt and shame, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Mood disorders, Multicultural concerns, Narcissism, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Postpartum depression, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy and childbirth, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-harm, Self-love, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young adult issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method, Mindfulness Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems
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IL LCPC 180.007674
Reviews
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Joan French. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Joan is so kind and so reassuring. She makes me feel like everything is going to be okay. We laugh a lot and sometimes we cry a lot. And I feel comfortable to tell her anything.
Written on Oct 09, 2024 after therapy with Joan for 5 years and 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
I would recommend Joan French because of her vast knowledge, deep empathy and her top notch ability to develop a solid and safe rapport with clients! She also has a sense of humor that brings a necessary levity to emotionally raw sessions, and a warm, compassionate heart that shines through all of her advice and guidance! I would highly recommend Joan French to anyone starting their therapy journey!
Written on Sep 25, 2024 after therapy with Joan for 3 years and 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
She is the best! She has helped me so much it’s only been three sessions it is amazing!!
Written on Sep 18, 2024 after therapy with Joan for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, sleeping disorders, and adhd
Joan is helpful and easy to talk to.
Written on Jul 24, 2024 after therapy with Joan for 2 weeks on issues concerning trauma and abuse, self esteem, and coaching
Joan is so kind and understanding!
Written on Jul 07, 2024 after therapy with Joan for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and self esteem
Insightful and asks the right questions.
Written on Apr 19, 2024 after therapy with Joan for 2 weeks on issues concerning lgbt, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting issues, and coping with life changes
Joan is a very intuitive, creative, compassionate therapist ~ she has been so helpful and supportive. I highly recommend her!
Written on Oct 10, 2023 after therapy with Joan for 4 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, eating disorders, parenting issues, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Joan is thoughftul and supportive. I feel like she really listened to me and communicated to me on my level while taking my concerns seriously. Talking with Joan is an amazing experience.
Written on Sep 29, 2023 after therapy with Joan for 1 month on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, and coping with life changes
Joan was very approaching and understanding given that my ethnic background can differ from others, she was able to help me thru a lot of issues and also gave me great tools to apply into my daily life so I won't fall back into my depression.
Written on Aug 22, 2023 after therapy with Joan for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, self esteem, and compassion fatigue
Joan and I have only spoken twice so far, but we have already began heading down the right path to my mental health. Looking forward to future sessions!
Written on Dec 06, 2022 after therapy with Joan for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, family conflicts, parenting issues, and self esteem
I am so glad that I found Joan on BetterHelp. She is a kind, caring and compassionate guide as I continue to navigate early trauma and how it has impacted my life. I truly want to live a life where I am my top priority and she is helping me get there, my future is brighter with her as my guide.
Written on Sep 06, 2022 after therapy with Joan for 7 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Joan is a great therapist and really cares for her clients but, if want consistency in meeting every week, she may not be the therapist for you.
Written on Jun 17, 2022 after therapy with Joan for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, and self esteem
Great therapist, helped a lot
Written on Apr 04, 2022 after therapy with Joan for 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Joan is an amazing listener, she is attentive to all my needs. She makes therapy feel like a regular conversation with a few jokes here and there. Makes you feel good.
Written on Oct 20, 2021 after therapy with Joan for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, and adhd
Joan is incredible! She's kind and compassionate and a very good listener. She offers great advice and I'd happily recommend her to anyone looking for some extra help in their life.
Written on Oct 19, 2021 after therapy with Joan for 1 year and 5 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coaching, and adhd
Joan has been very helpful in my journey so far. She meets with me on a weekly basis and then checks in on me throughout the week. She also takes the time to send me articles and worksheets to complete, which is something that I encourage because it helps me understand topics and prompts questions.
Written on Aug 23, 2021 after therapy with Joan for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self esteem, and adhd
I have accomplished so much in the few sessions I’ve had with Joan. I’m incredibly thankful for this pairing as I feel she possesses the proper tools for this part of my healing journey.
Written on Dec 21, 2020 after therapy with Joan for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, and adhd
I’ve only worked with Joan for a short time now, but she gets me. I appreciate how patient and accommodating she is. I’m so happy that I not only got started on this journey, but that I got matched with someone like Joan. She truly is the best. Don’t just take my word though. You have to talk to her yourself!
Written on Oct 26, 2020 after therapy with Joan for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, grief, intimacy-related issues, and parenting issues
Joan is really sweet yet stern and honest when she needs to be.
Written on Sep 22, 2020 after therapy with Joan for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and coaching
There are times when Joan is the only thing in my life that helps me and I feel so supported and helped by her
Written on Sep 16, 2020 after therapy with Joan for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and coping with life changes
I haven't been working with Joan long, but I feel very supported and open with her. She gives me hope in myself.
Written on Aug 11, 2020 after therapy with Joan for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, grief, and self esteem
Shes great. She listens to me and what im going through. I would recommend her for sure. Shes there for you and a great all around person. Makes counseling feel like i have someone there for me.
Written on Aug 05, 2020 after therapy with Joan for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, parenting issues, and anger management
Joan is a very understanding and approachable counselor. She does a great job of getting to know you and what works best for the patients experience. She challenges you in ways that are not overwhelming but are very successful. She also peppers in some comedic relief which can keep things fresh. I would recommend her to anyone but especially to people who might need an extra push when it comes to opening up and getting the best experience out of counseling.
Written on Jul 19, 2020 after therapy with Joan for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
She was awesome and really helped me make some big strides forward. I will forever be grateful.
Written on Dec 12, 2019 after therapy with Joan for 5 months
I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity to speak with and learn from Joan over the last 5 months. I felt very seen and understood. I can’t thank her enough for that incredible gift. I've referred to her as my angel because she helped me tackle issues that I thought would trap me in an unhappy life. She helped me realize that there are so many perspectives and techniques that I can use to chip away at the big problematic icebergs blocking me from peace and joy. Joan was like the wise, funny sister that I always wanted. She’s always understanding and curious and never judgmental, no matter what kind of weird stuff I wanted to discuss.
Written on Dec 10, 2019 after therapy with Joan for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
Joan is empathetic and so easy to speak to. I would recommend her to anyone and she has really helped me to feel heard and "felt".
Written on Nov 18, 2019 after therapy with Joan for 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Best counselor have ever had even though I haven't had her for very long. So far feel like my life is getting better really wanting to do more with her. Maybe go so far as to have couples counseling with me and my better half. Extremely happy best counselor ever don't know what I'd do without her.
Written on Oct 24, 2019 after therapy with Joan for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and adhd
Joan helped me immensely following the breakup with my fiancé. I really like Joan a lot. She’s kind, compassionate, and funny. There were times where I’d start a session feeling extremely depressed, and somehow this woman always made me feel special and beautiful upon session termination. She also did a wonderful job identifying and addressing other stressers /concerns in my life. The homework she assigns is awesome! I still journal to this day.
Written on Oct 07, 2019 after therapy with Joan for 1 year and 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, and trauma and abuse
Joan is kind, patient and personable and truly listens.
Written on Sep 13, 2019 after therapy with Joan for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and self esteem
Joan has been such a great support during my time in need. I find our weekly sessions incredibly helpful! Always end up with a feeling of relief.
Written on Aug 28, 2019 after therapy with Joan for 2 months on issues concerning relationship issues
Joan was absolutely wonderful. She was attentive and thoughtful, offering good insight into the topics I brought up. My time with her was short but productive!
Written on Aug 15, 2019 after therapy with Joan for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, intimacy-related issues, and self esteem
Joan takes time to process all my concerns and it really shows she is listening and taking into account all aspects of my troubles, she is very calming and willing to help and supportive of my counseling goals.
Written on Nov 16, 2018 after therapy with Joan for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, grief, anger management, and career difficulties
I really enjoy the sessions with Joan. She is kind, funny and really listens to the problems you have and offers great perspective.
Written on Oct 12, 2018 after therapy with Joan for 4 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, sleeping disorders, and self esteem
It can be tough to find the right counselor and I was really lucky to get Joan. We clicked immediately. She is very empathetic and intuitive and patient and uses a wide variety of tools and materials and articles to help give you perspective. I came to her with a long-standing problem I've had in my life, dealing with intrusive bitter memories stemming from childhood emotional trauma that have been hurting the quality of my life for a long time. She quickly recommended techniques that really helped me get to the core wound and start to heal it. I was really stuck and she helped me make real progress with creative solutions. She is also just a wonderful, kindhearted person and a dream to work with. I can't recommend her highly enough.
Written on Oct 08, 2018 after therapy with Joan for 5 months on issues concerning family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and anger management
Joan French is amazing! She is really nice and kind. I love how she uses different techniques to help you, for instance art therapy. Art therapy has been helping me heal from the traumatic event that I have been through, and also helping me express how and what I am feeling! She also makes you feel comfortable to talk to her. And she also give you good feedback and will explain something to you if you don’t understand. And one last thing, if you do the homework assignment as she calls them; you will get more out of therapy. Your not just talking to her, but also do activities that will help you heal, and or move past what your going though.
Written on Jul 22, 2018 after therapy with Joan for 1 week on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, and grief
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