Joan French , LCPC

Joan French is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with more than 17 years of experience helping adults navigate stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, trauma and abuse, and life transitions. She has heard many clients report feeling unheard, isolated, or hopeless, and she centers her practice on fostering connection and a sense of being truly understood. Joan emphasizes creating a nonjudgmental atmosphere where people can name difficult experiences and bring into conversation what often feels unspeakable.

Her approach is trauma-informed and integrative, drawing on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) alongside expressive methods such as art therapy. She also uses techniques from positive communication skills building, anger management, and other modalities as needed, and she sometimes weaves gentle humor into sessions to ease tension - a practice she refers to as "chuckle healing."

Joan combines clinical training and lived experience with patience, creativity, and practicality. She holds a Master of Arts in Community Counseling from Governors State University and an Art Therapy Certificate from Northwestern University. Joan works with adults on issues including depression, grief, self-esteem, sleep difficulties, attachment and family-of-origin concerns, codependency, and LGBTQIA2S+ related stress. She views therapy as a collaborative process and aims to be a steady resource on each person's path toward greater connection and wellness.