Professional Experience
Hi, I’m Joy, a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) with a specialty and passion for helping individuals build a healthy relationship with themselves and others. I received my Bachelors of Social Work from The Ohio State University and my Masters from Case Western Reserve University. I’ve done extensive training under the model of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) which is rooted in attachment theory and developed by Dr. Sue Johnson. While I mostly operate from the EFT model, I have also trained under the models of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). I have always been passionate about the role of healthy family dynamics that lead to secure, connected adults that in turn build strong communities.
Human Experience
My husband and I have three adult daughters and the very welcome addition of a partner for our oldest, with bonus grandchildren! I personally know that change is both scary and rewarding. When our daughters were in high school, we moved the family abroad to challenge ourselves with an international living experience. This has helped shaped my world view and the commonness of the human experience.
With the belief that relationships are vital for developing personal grounded confidence, I’ve always had an interest in and a passion for marriage and parenting. I believe strongly in living and modeling what attachment science and emotional/social health teaches. Doing the work on your own well-being and the well-being of your relationships is hard, AND there is no better tool for maximizing the human experience.
A note about the logo
My logo, designed by one of our children, is inclusive of BOTH (1) the mathematical symbol of union “∩” as well as (2) AND “&”. BOTH/AND was introduced to me during my study of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy to widen perspective and reduce suffering. It is the understanding that two things can both be true at the same time. Life has very few absolutes, and when we open ourselves to a sometimes competing understanding, we develop clarity, reduce suffering and bridge a divide that increases connection. For example, it makes sense that I can be both nervous AND excited (which can seem opposed in their pleasant and unpleasant states) when thinking about a life transition.