I have enjoyed working for various mental health agencies and have extensive experience in several areas of counseling. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, in the states of Mississippi, Colorado, Georgia, North Carolina, Louisiana and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Nevada. I have worked with individuals, couples, families and groups. I have worked with children as young as 4 to adults up to age 101! I have assisted clients who struggle with symptoms of anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma, relational and self-esteem issues. I am a mother of seven, including a son on the autism spectrum. My counseling style is person-centered. I believe in treating everyone with respect and unconditional positive regard. I will devise a plan of treatment created specifically for you. My personal life experiences, in addition to my education and work history, help me to empower individuals to overcome difficult emotional obstacles. I know that asking for help can be difficult. Congratulations on taking that first step. I am looking forward to hearing from you and guiding you through the therapeutic process.

I work with clients with a variety of issues. I find that most of the time, people seek help because they realize that their life is just not where they want it to be, and they realize that there is something more. I help clients deal with the things that they feel are holding them back, whether it be circumstances, trauma, history, or things they believe about themselves. Although I offer counseling services to people from all walks of life and belief (or non-belief) systems, I also have extended training in Pastoral (meaning Christian) Counseling. I work with people to pinpoint their goals, define the obstacles to the goals, and explore the origins of unhealthy beliefs and thought patterns that are holding your back. The fact of the matter is that we all have issues and problems to work through. The good news is that you don't have to do it alone. I want to help you work through the things that are holding you back from finding your purpose and peace.

As a licensed therapist serving Louisiana, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes. My professional approach centers on compassionate, faith-informed counseling for adults experiencing life transitions, anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges. I have extensive experience helping clients address stress, grief, communication difficulties, and personal growth—particularly supporting women, caregivers, and older adults through significant life stages. My practice integrates evidence-based therapeutic techniques with a Christian-centered perspective, creating a supportive environment where clients can explore their emotional well-being and develop meaningful coping strategies. I am committed to walking alongside individuals as they work through personal challenges, offering understanding and guidance rooted in respect and empathy.

As a licensed therapist with nearly three decades of experience, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating life's complex emotional landscapes. My practice focuses on helping clients address stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, and personal growth. I bring a compassionate, faith-centered approach to counseling, particularly supporting older adults and those seeking a conservative therapeutic perspective. My professional journey has been dedicated to creating a supportive environment where individuals can explore their emotional well-being, develop resilient coping strategies, and build stronger self-esteem. I understand the unique challenges that come with life transitions and am committed to walking alongside my clients with empathy, respect, and understanding. Drawing from extensive clinical experience, I offer a warm, collaborative approach that honors each person's individual journey. My goal is to provide meaningful support that empowers you to overcome obstacles, cultivate inner strength, and move toward greater personal fulfillment.

From the first moment of successfully leaving our mother's body and beginning to breath on our own, we began a life journey that mirrors our own epic story. This epic is similar to those I used to watch as a child at the Sunday evening movies. Usually a hero, for instance, Hercules, would be engaged in ongoing event-filled days of danger, challenge, and conquest. Along the way there were characters who attempted to thwart his efforts or support his quest. His focus remained resolute and steadfast and was usually met with success. If not doing that hour definitely by part two he would be the victor. Our life challenges, however, are not usually met with the excitement of a movie; and success in overcoming them is not usually with one or even two hours. But like old movies, our challenges involve obstacles, dangers, wonders, and successes of varying dimensions. These challenges for many of us serve to push us forward to take another breath of life and to continue our personal life walk. From each push, breath, and challenge we can choose to learn and experience success or satisfaction with how we are engaging with life. I am Joy Smith McElveen, a licensed clinical social worker in New Orleans, LA.. Like many of you, my epic story is filled with many challenges of major life disappointments, frustrations, illness, fears, anxiety, depression, and anger. However, there was always a sense of wonder which generated happy times, love, and a glimmer of hope-filled days. Focusing on the wonders of hope helps me put challenges and obstacles into a perspective that allows me build change efforts. I think it is having a sense of hope, the real wonder, that pushes us forward despite the challenge. My practice is based on expanding a search for hope within each person seeking to change direction. Living demands that we must continue to grow. We grow through learning and making changes in our sphere of life. Our emotions and thoughts help or hinder our behavior. It is within these areas we need to evaluate, and search for meaning to be productive and fulfilled. My practice is based on using Dialectical Behavior Therapy undergirded with applications from Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy. These approaches have interconnections with how we can choose to change how we think, feel and behave. They each require that the person seeking to make changes do the work and the helper is alongside working with her/him. I would like to be one of the characters in your epic story who supports your quest for change. I have a BA in sociology from Louisiana State University (now UNO); a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor); and a doctorate from Howard University School of Social Work. I have certifications in each treatment approach listed above.

As a licensed therapist in Louisiana, I bring three decades of compassionate clinical experience supporting individuals through complex emotional landscapes. My practice centers on creating affirming, culturally responsive spaces for diverse communities, with specialized expertise in addressing depression, relationship dynamics, family conflicts, and trauma recovery. I am deeply committed to understanding the intersectional experiences of marginalized communities, with a focused approach to exploring multicultural concerns, navigating experiences of prejudice and discrimination, and supporting individuals managing challenging mental health experiences. My therapeutic style emphasizes empowerment, respect, and collaborative healing. My professional approach integrates evidence-based practices with a profound understanding of individual lived experiences. I strive to provide a supportive, non-judgmental environment where clients can explore their challenges, develop resilience, and cultivate meaningful personal growth. Whether you're confronting complex emotional patterns, processing difficult experiences, or seeking deeper self-understanding, I'm dedicated to walking alongside you with genuine compassion and professional expertise.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Arkansas and Louisiana with over 15 years of experience working as a counselor. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, career challenges, Borderline Personality Disorder, severe mental illness, family struggles, and ADHD. I also helped many people who have experienced physical trauma or emotional abuse. My counseling style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and rational-emotive counseling. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. I am currently coauthoring a book that takes the more wholistic approach to the brain. With this, I’m working on a coaching certification. It takes courage to seek for a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. If you are ready to take that step I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!

As a licensed therapist in Louisiana, I bring over a decade of compassionate mental health experience to supporting individuals through life's complex challenges. My practice centers on helping clients navigate family dynamics, process grief, build self-esteem, manage anger, and develop strategies for living with ADHD. I am committed to creating an affirming, non-judgmental therapeutic space that honors each person's unique identity and lived experience. My approach is collaborative and person-centered, focusing on understanding your individual needs and empowering you to develop meaningful, sustainable strategies for personal growth. With a deep respect for diverse experiences and perspectives, I strive to provide inclusive, supportive care that meets you exactly where you are in your journey. My goal is to walk alongside you with empathy, professional expertise, and genuine care as you work toward healing and personal transformation.

I am licensed in Louisiana with 17 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I have been licensed in Louisiana since 2002, which equals 23 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with Depression, Anger issues, LGBTQ issues, HIV/ AIDS issues. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in Louisiana with 10+ years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & motivation, self-esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Louisiana with 40 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, & family conflicts. I also have experience working with depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Louisiana with 11 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, family conflicts, coping with grief, coping with loss, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Louisiana with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients coping with grief, coping with loss, parenting issues, motivation, self esteem, confidence, anger, anxiety depression and more. I also have experience working with those coping with life changes. I can assist in areas of spirituality from a Christian perspective. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.