Joan French
Calm guidance for stress and relationships
LCPC Illinois
- Experience
- 17 years in practice
- Focus areas
- Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse
- Approaches
- Gottman Method, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Languages
- English
About Joan
Joan French is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) based in Illinois with 17 years of experience. She focuses on concerns like stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, trauma and abuse, and self-esteem.
Background and approach
Joan also supports people facing grief, career changes, sleeping problems, gender dysphoria, and issues related to identity and belonging. Joan aims to create a welcoming, judgment-free space where people can talk about what feels unsayable.
She values being heard and noticed, and she uses a calm, patient approach. Humor sometimes appears in sessions when it fits the moment.
Her background includes a Master of Arts in Community Counseling from Governors State University and an Art Therapy Certificate from Northwestern University. Those experiences inform a flexible way of working that blends talk and creative methods.
Joan describes her approach as trauma-informed and integrative. She draws on methods from cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and client-centered work, and she uses Gottman Method ideas for relationship topics.
Sessions often include skill-building, emotion regulation, and communication practice. People who choose Joan can expect straightforward, practical guidance.
She helps identify patterns, set small goals, and practice new ways of relating to self and others. The focus is on manageable steps that fit everyday life and lead to more connection and steadier mood.
How Joan’s Approaches Translate to Online Therapy
Joan uses the Gottman Method ideas when relationship patterns come up, focusing on communication skills, rebuilding trust, and reducing negative cycles. Those techniques can be practiced in sessions and applied to everyday interactions.She also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then move toward values-based actions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is another core approach that looks at thoughts and behaviors and teaches practical tools for managing mood and anxiety.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Joan collaborates with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and comfort level. She tailors techniques and pacing so sessions feel useful and realistic for daily life.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for longer conversations and skill practice. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or for shorter check-ins. Live chat and text are good for quick reflections, tracking progress, and steady support between longer sessions. These options provide flexibility to fit therapy into a busy schedule.
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Joan help with?
How would you describe her therapy style?
What training and experience does she have?
Where is Joan licensed and located?
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Can people outside the United States work with Joan?
What session formats are available?
How does the subscription and cost structure work?
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
17+ years
Licensed in
Illinois
Languages
English