Joan McDonald

Choosing therapy is a courageous step, and I strive to create a welcoming, supportive space where clients feel safe to express themselves. I partner with my clients to understand their needs and experiences in order to build on their strengths and create goals that facilitate healing, change, and growth. 

As a relational therapist, I am present and collaborative, helping clients navigate life challenges, cultivate personal strengths, and take steps towards achieving the lives they want. I value the therapeutic relationship, and I view myself as an objective and nonjudgmental ally to my clients. My areas of focus include anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, executive functioning, parent support, grief, self-esteem, school stressors, and life transitions. I help clients build effective coping, communication, and executive functioning skills so that they can feel empowered to pursue their goals with clarity and intention. 

Before becoming a therapist, I taught high school for over ten years, which helps me connect with my clients' experiences related to social issues, technology, and academic pressures. I have a strong understanding of academic challenges and offer support with executive functioning skills such as organization, time management, prioritization, and goal setting. I believe that parents are pivotal in their children's growth, so I offer guidance on communication strategies and mental health education to foster stronger connections. I chose to become a therapist because I’ve always found fulfillment in helping others and offering compassionate support.

In order to individualize treatment, I employ a variety of approaches, including CBT, DBT, internal family systems/ parts work, insight-oriented therapy, and evidence-based parenting practices. I help clients make short-term goals that pave the path to long term goals. Clients can expect empathy, understanding, and support as they pursue their therapeutic goals. I offer individualized, trauma-informed care and provide empathetic support throughout the therapeutic process. I collaborate with clients to help them gain personal insight, cultivate strengths, build self-love, and feel empowered to heal and grow.