It takes a lot of work to fully accept oneself and simultaneously be committed to growth, healing and wholeness. This is what Joel strives to do in his own life and in his work with his clients. Navigating our painful emotions, coming to grip with ourselves and learning to have healthy relationships is daunting, yet possible. Joel would love to journey with you as you learn to be more authentic and to fully embrace your story!
Joel has been working with clients for over 17 years. Knowing he wanted to be a therapist from the age of 13yo, Joel is both honored to be working in this field and passionate about his work. Joel earned his Master's degree from Arizona State University. He graduated with a Master's in Social Work (MSW) with an emphasis in direct practice. He is licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and an Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (AzBBHE) approved supervisor. Joel is also Board Certified in Neurofeedback (BCN), a treatment approach that is known for helping in ADHD, learning disorders, processing disorders, anxiety, depression, migraines, sleep disorders and trauma. Joel has a Counseling and Bible degree from Moody Bible Institute and is ordained in the Non-denominational Christian Church. Though not all clients want spiritual integration in their counseling, for those looking for this, Joel is able to bring faith into their treatment.
After completing his graduate studies, Joel completed a 2 year counseling residency at Phoenix Interfaith Counseling. He was extensively trained in Behavior Therapies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Gottman Couple's Therapy, Attachment informed approaches and in treating personality disorders. Later, he was trained in Level 1 and 2 of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Joel has experience working at the Arizona State Hospital on the forensic psychiatric units, the Gilbert Police Department and Dynamic Living Counseling where he facilitated court-ordered substance abuse group therapy, worked with domestic violence offenders and victims, and facilitated psycho-education groups for minor consumption and substance use. Most recently, Joel practiced in Africa (Nairobi, Kenya) as a therapist to underprivileged families and as a trainer of becoming counselors at Amani Counseling Centre and Training Institute. He lectured courses in Psychopathology, Group Counseling and Counseling Ethics. Joel has worked with at risk students mentoring, counseling, and educating. Joel has extensive experience working with anxiety and depression issues. He also has treated those legally determined by the state “Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI).”
Joel's thorough training allows him to provides treatment to children, teens, adults, couples and families around the issues of depression, hopelessness even suicidal ideation and self-harm, anxiety, anger, parenting, foster/adoption transition and/or trauma, family/relationship discord, pre-marital counseling, addictions including sexual impulsivity/addictions and treating all types of trauma including sexual related trauma.
Joel provides Family Court Services including: Therapeutic Interventionist (TI) services, Court Ordered Behavior Interventionist (COBI), Therapeutic Supervised Parenting Time, Supervised Parenting Time, Co-Parenting services, Reunification Therapy and Court Appointed Counseling.
Joel is married with four kids. He enjoys spending time with his family, learning, meeting new people, traveling, spending time in new cultures, volunteering, and being outdoors. Joel enjoys running, playing other sports and coaching his kids activities. He also loves studying and reading in his spare time.