Joellen believes counseling is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and those you love.  In her work with clients, she draws on her many years of experience as both a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and an ordained Minister.  Her specialty is in psychodynamic, insight oriented, relational counseling.  But she also takes an eclectic approach, utilizing, where most helpful, techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction like STOP, progressive relaxation and deep breathing.  Additionally, Joellen has extensive experience in leading Grief Groups and counseling those who are grieving.  She welcomes spiritual integration in her work, if that is something the client seeks.  She considers it a privilege to share in the transformative growth counseling can facilitate.

Joellen received her PhD from Chicago Theological Seminary, her M.Div from McCormick Theological Seminary and is a graduate of the Center for Religion and Psychotherapy of Chicago’s Training Program in Pastoral Counseling.  She was a Fellow in the American Assoc. of Pastoral Counselors until their recent merge with the Assoc. of Clinical Pastoral Education, where she is now a Psychotherapy Member.

She enjoys walks by Lake Michigan and feels lucky to live near it so she can catch the sunrise often.  She spends time gardening, listening to music, and going to the movies. She values her time with good friends and family.  Joellen was surprised to learn her top strength in Positive Psychology’s Values in Action Survey is curiosity, but it fits.  She thinks it is one reason why she enjoys counseling so much as she is genuinely interested in each person’s story and what can be most healing and life enhancing.