Hi, I'm Joy, and I'm really glad you are here. Counseling can be an intimidating process. If I were seeking a Vermont-based counselor, I would want to know about his or her background before we met.
So, here's a brief overview of my career history:
I started with a shiny bachelor's degree in psychology in 2002 and worked in human services for several years. I enjoyed my job as a case manager, particularly for Age Well, a local nonprofit that serves seniors.
Over time, though, I decided I really wanted to follow my dream of having my own business. I started a writing and communication business, which I ran for 18 years.
Fast forward to 2022. The desire to help others--and a couple of decades of life experience--sent me back to school. This time, I earned a graduate degree in social work. I'm currently a pre-licensed, supervised professional counselor working toward licensure in Vermont.
And here are a few things about me personally:
I'm a highly sensitive person who loves to write, paint, and attempt to make music in my free time. I love reading novels, especially in front of a cozy fire and even more with a mug of something hot to drink. I'm an INFJ on the Myers-Briggs personality scale and am deathly afraid of sharks thanks to watching Jaws when I was too young. I like growing flowers and indoor plants and am working at changing my black thumb green.
What You Can Expect Here
I try to make my office as relaxing and nurturing a place as possible. During your visit, you can enjoy:
Natural elements like plants, cozy blankets, soft lighting, and nature sounds or classical music in the background
Paint, clay, paper, pencils, and more--if you're open to it, we can incorporate creativity into your counseling session. Expressing your emotions through creating can be very healing. You DO NOT need to be an artist or writer for this to be effective.
A safe, quiet, and confidential space to vent and process what you're going through, whether online or at an in-person session.
Outside of our time together, I frequently ask that you do "homework" to practice the new skills we've discussed in our session. This might consist of practicing a new mental health coping skill, writing in a journal, reading something, and/or filling out worksheets. Each of these practices will help to cement what you're learning and the changes you're making.