Therapist Joan French Photo

Joan French, LCPC

Stress, Anxiety Relationships Trauma, Abuse Self esteem, Motivation Depression
Phone Live Chat Messaging

About me

I've met with many clients who have shared they don't feel really heard or understood by others. As a result-they feel lonely, isolated, and hopeless. I believe that to feel a sense of personal wellness we must also feel heard & connected!

Finding and connecting with a counselor is a valuable and courageous choice to move forward! It is important for me to create a space where my clients feel trusting and comfortable. This space is a 'judgement-free zone'. I want to create an atmosphere in relationship to my clients in which they can share those things which might feel 'unspeakable'. It has been my experience that those are the things that need saying.

I have a well-seasoned 17+ years of experience working as a therapeutic counselor. I am thankful to be able to do this work! I consider myself to be a resourceful, creative, & patient therapist with a robust combination of life experience, clinical expertise, and therapeutic skill.

My trauma-informed approach may be considered integrative, as I will often utilize techniques from: CBT, DBT, IFS, Positive Communication Skill Building, Anger Management, and Art Therapy. I must also add here that I try to incorporate humor, when appropriate. Let's call this 'chuckle healing'.

Currently I am accepting individual adult clients 18+. I see a wide variety of clients seeking treatment for depression, anxiety, adjustment concerns, and more. Additionally, I welcome those who identify as LGBTQIA2S+, or who are exploring/questioning.

I received my Master of Arts Degree in Community Counseling from Governors State University, and I received an Art Therapy Certificate from Northwestern University.

I'd consider it an honor to be a part of your journey.

Professional experience

17yrs in practice
Stress, Anxiety Relationships Trauma, Abuse Self esteem, Motivation Depression

Additional areas of focus: 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

Clinical approaches: 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

Services offered

Phone
Live Chat
Messaging

License information

IL LCPC 180.007674

Reviews

These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Joan French. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.

Joan is so kind and so reassuring. She makes me feel like everything is going to be okay. We laugh a lot and sometimes we cry a lot. And I feel comfortable to tell her anything.

Written on Oct 09, 2024 after therapy with Joan for 5 years and 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes

I would recommend Joan French because of her vast knowledge, deep empathy and her top notch ability to develop a solid and safe rapport with clients! She also has a sense of humor that brings a necessary levity to emotionally raw sessions, and a warm, compassionate heart that shines through all of her advice and guidance! I would highly recommend Joan French to anyone starting their therapy journey!

Written on Sep 25, 2024 after therapy with Joan for 3 years and 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd

She is the best! She has helped me so much it’s only been three sessions it is amazing!!

Written on Sep 18, 2024 after therapy with Joan for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, sleeping disorders, and adhd

Joan is helpful and easy to talk to.

Written on Jul 24, 2024 after therapy with Joan for 2 weeks on issues concerning trauma and abuse, self esteem, and coaching

Joan is so kind and understanding!

Written on Jul 07, 2024 after therapy with Joan for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and self esteem

Insightful and asks the right questions.

Written on Apr 19, 2024 after therapy with Joan for 2 weeks on issues concerning lgbt, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting issues, and coping with life changes