Joan Paradis

Joan Paradis is a licensed clinical social worker who offers a calm, conversational approach for people feeling overwhelmed, alone, or stuck. She focuses on listening without judgment and helping clients take practical steps forward. Joan aims to make talking about hard things feel easier and more manageable.

She meets people where they are and works at the client’s pace. Sessions focus on clear goals and small changes that add up over time. Joan uses active listening to understand how someone’s values and daily life shape their choices.

Her work draws on several evidence-informed approaches. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and mindfulness practices are used to help people notice thought patterns, accept difficult feelings, and commit to actions that matter to them. Motivational Interviewing can be part of conversations about change and commitment.

Joan has practiced for 13 years and brings that experience into everyday problem solving. She helps people coping with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, grief, and loneliness among other concerns. She also supports those facing workplace challenges, first responder issues, and end-of-life matters.

Joan holds an LCSW, which means she is a licensed clinical social worker in Illinois. Sessions are conducted in English and Joan works with clients who live in Illinois. To start, clients complete a brief matching questionnaire and schedule according to the therapist’s availability.

How Joan Uses Practical Approaches Online

Joan uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice unhelpful thought patterns and try different behaviors. That approach is useful when anxiety, depression, or negative self-talk get in the way of daily life. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is also part of her practice, helping people clarify what matters to them and take small steps toward those values even when feelings are difficult.

Mindfulness practices are woven into sessions to build attention skills and reduce reactivity. These techniques can help with stress, coping with grief, and staying grounded after traumatic experiences. Joan combines these methods with motivational interviewing when clients face ambivalence about change, keeping conversations focused and collaborative.

Finding the right approach is a team effort. Joan will talk with each client about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t worked before. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan as needed, so therapy fits the person rather than the other way around.

Session formats are not specified in the profile, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Licensed professionals can adapt exercises and homework to digital sessions so progress continues between meetings.