Joan French helps people who feel overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship problems, or big life changes.
01About Joan
Joan French helps people who feel overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship problems, or big life changes. She supports adults coping with trauma, identity questions, sleep trouble, career stress, and struggles with self-worth. Joan welcomes people exploring gender or sexual identity and those dealing with codependency, attachment wounds, or isolation.
She aims to create a calm, nonjudgmental space where people can talk honestly. Joan listens for what feels unsayable and helps put those feelings into words.
Background and approach
She uses plain, practical steps alongside empathy and a touch of humor when it fits. Joan brings 17 years of clinical experience to the work. She holds an IL LCPC and a Master of Arts in Community Counseling from Governors State University.
She also completed an Art Therapy Certificate from Northwestern University. Her style blends evidence-based techniques with client-centered listening. Joan draws from cognitive behavioral approaches, acceptance and commitment ideas, dialectical skills, and emotionally focused work to match each person's needs.
Sessions are collaborative and grounded in real-life solutions. People who choose Joan can expect a patient, creative counselor who values connection. She is comfortable using art-based exercises, communication skill building, and emotion regulation tools.
Her aim is to help people feel heard, regain balance, and move forward with clearer steps.
02Credentials
- LCPC (Illinois)
- License 180.007674 · expires March 2027
- NPI
- 1710281639 · national provider identifier
Both are public records. A state board register will confirm a license and its standing, and the national registry will confirm an NPI. This directory copies what the counselor lists and checks neither.
03Focus areas and approaches
Everything Joan lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
- Self esteem
- Depression
- 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
Methods Joan names
- 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
These are the methods Joan names on their own professional profile. Naming an approach is not evidence of training or certification in it, and this directory checks no training records. Ask directly if it matters to you.
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04Online support
How online approaches and in-session work come together
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then choose actions that match their values. It can help with anxiety, depression, and feeling stuck. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening, empathy, and the client’s own pace; it helps people feel understood and build trust in the relationship. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at patterns of thought and behavior and teaches practical tools to change unhelpful cycles, which is useful for worry, low mood, and sleep problems.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, try methods that fit those goals, and adjust based on what helps most. This collaborative process means techniques may be mixed and adapted over time.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video calls let people see facial cues for deeper emotional work. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging support quick reflections, brief coaching between sessions, and ongoing contact without scheduling a full call. These options give flexibility to fit therapy into work, family, or travel schedules while keeping the focus on practical progress.
05Questions people ask
What concerns does Joan work with?
She supports adults with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, self-esteem issues, sleeping problems, career stress, and coping with life changes.
What is her therapy style like?
Her approach is warm and practical, focusing on listening first and then introducing skills and exercises that fit each person's needs.
How much experience does she have?
Joan has 17 years of experience working as a therapeutic counselor with adults.
What credentials and region are associated with this therapist?
Joan holds an IL LCPC and practices from Illinois.
Which languages are used in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available online?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging for remote work.
How are costs and billing handled?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How does someone begin therapy with Joan?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.
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