Joan French, LCPC

Joan French, LCPC, supports people navigating stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship struggles, and midlife concerns. She focuses on helping adults 18 and over who feel isolated, overwhelmed, or unclear about next steps. Joan creates a calm, nonjudgmental space where people can say hard things and feel heard. She welcomes people who identify as LGBTQIA2S+ and those exploring gender questions.

Joan brings 17 years of clinical experience to her work and describes herself as resourceful, creative, and patient. Her background includes a Master of Arts in Community Counseling from Governors State University and an Art Therapy Certificate from Northwestern University. She blends talk therapy with experiential tools and a light touch of humor when it helps the process.

Her approach is trauma-informed and integrative. She draws on techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, emotionally-focused work, and client-centered methods. She also uses art-based activities and communication skill-building when appropriate. Sessions typically focus on practical steps, emotion regulation, and clearer communication patterns.

Joan emphasizes building a trusting relationship first. She aims to help people find meaning, improve coping, and reconnect to valued goals. For those facing life transitions or questions about identity, she offers a steady presence and collaborative problem solving.

Working with Joan begins with a short matching process and scheduling based on availability. She invites people to reach out and see if her style fits their needs.

Approaches you can expect in online sessions

Joan commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which helps people notice painful thoughts and still move toward their values. ACT includes exercises that clarify what matters and small steps to act on those priorities. She also draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and try new behaviors that ease symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Joan treats selection of methods as a collaborative process and will help figure out which techniques fit a person's goals and learning style. She adapts tools over time based on what the person finds useful.

Confirm current session options before booking so you know which formats are available with this therapist. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, reduce travel time, and allow brief check-ins when schedules are tight. It also lets therapists use screen-shared worksheets, mood tracking, and art-based prompts during sessions when appropriate. These practical benefits can help people maintain continuity of care while juggling everyday responsibilities.