Joy Powell

The road to good mental health is often rife with obstacles; these obstacles generally consist of navigating societal systems, personal relationships, social pressures and looming uncertainties.

Years ago, I studied elements of society by riding an entire train route for a school assignment. While traveling through diverse city landscapes and observing fellow travelers, I observed how human behavior changed with time and settings. This experience inspired me to reflect on my own identities and how I interact and engage with the world around me. This observation also helped me define my career path as a supportive guide for others, as the journey to self-discovery should not be an isolated one.

I specialize in working with people around trauma, identity development, anxiety, depression, personal boundaries, mindfulness and negative thinking. I am also very passionate about helping individuals build self-esteem, explore values, improve communication skills and identify unhealthy patterns. As far as engagement is concerned, I particularly enjoy my work with queer folks of color and am especially committed to supporting individuals from the Black/African diaspora communities.

My therapeutic approach is enveloped in the sociological perspective, as we are not just individual entities, but social beings enmeshed in society. As a therapist, I like to operate through a holistic lens that highlights unique individual experiences and social backgrounds. I also believe that everyone’s history of development is different and should be seen for what it is in the way it was developed. When engaging in therapy, I like to integrate the most applicable principles from cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and attachment-based therapy. Through our joint effort, we will explore your needs and work towards individual and collaborative goals. I’m incredibly passionate about being a therapist and strive to help others know the true joy and empowerment that can come from engaging in therapy.

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