What makes Joy unique?
I firmly believe that counseling is my calling and my gift. There’s something special about sitting down with someone, hearing their story, and helping them make progress towards their goal. I believe that everyone has their own unique story, and my story has uniquely shaped me to help better serve everyone who sits across from me.
I have extensive experience working with teenagers, couples, and adults, particularly in addressing challenges related to anxiety, depression, and trauma. I have worked closely with adolescents in a variety of settings, supporting them through emotional and behavioral difficulties, often connected to deeper underlying trauma. My work with adults has included one-on-one support that focuses on anxiety/stress management, communication, and emotional regulation. I have also worked with couples, helping them navigate relationship struggles, improve communication, and process shared or individual mental health challenges. Across these experiences, I strive to create a safe and supportive environment that promotes healing and growth.
I have helped people of all ages grow personally by pushing themselves and as a team in challenges such as team building initiatives, high ropes course, and zip line as a Challenge Course Facilitator. As a counselor, I operate from a wide variety of modalities based on what works for the client, but tend to gravitate towards Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Strengths-Based therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, and Gottman techniques for marriage therapy. My specialization at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary was trauma. I have completed training in the Gottman technique.
Joy’s approach to counseling
My clinical approach is integrative and grounded in evidence-based practices. I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and reframe unhelpful thought patterns, and incorporate principles from Internal Family Systems (IFS) to explore inner dynamics and promote self-leadership. I am trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for trauma, which allows me to guide clients in processing and resolving the impact of traumatic experiences. For couples work, I utilize the Gottman Method (Level 1) to support relationship stability through improved communication, conflict resolution, and emotional connection. I also incorporate mindfulness practices to foster present-moment awareness and emotional regulation. My work also uses a person-centered and strength-based perspective, emphasizing empathy, empowerment, and each client’s unique resilience to the therapeutic process.
Joy’s bio
I started working with preteens when I was a teenager myself, volunteering at a school outreach program with Youth for Christ. Throughout college, I volunteered at multiple churches, worked as a camp counselor, and started my own chapter at a new school for Youth for Christ. I graduated from Olivet Nazarene University with a double major in Youth Ministry and Philosophy of Religion. Soon, I married my wonderful husband, and we moved to Kansas.
My life changed when I worked for a group home with teenage boys with behavioral problems in foster care. I realized that my relationships with these students mattered, and I felt the clear calling to help them in a different a different way- by being their counselor. From there, I moved to Michigan to start my counseling degree from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary and to be the Director of Youth and Education from Evanston Avenue Baptist Church. Along the way, I started working with Love INC of Muskegon County as their Transformational Ministries Assistant.
Life
is not a destination but a journey – and the journey that has shaped my life is different than I expected. But it has been amazing, as it has shaped me and made me into who I am.
I went into private practice full time in 2019, and then joined Hope and Wholeness Psychology Center in 2020. I currently am privileged to be the site supervisor for our Muskegon location. My husband and I welcomed our beautiful daughter in 2021. We live in Muskegon with our retired racing greyhound and our cat. I enjoy traveling, hiking, playing complicated board games, reading, and playing piano and mandolin.