- Client-centered therapy
- CBT and DBT skills
- Narrative approaches
About Joy
Joy Raggs is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Illinois with 14 years of experience. She works with people dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship problems, grief, self-esteem concerns, life changes, and depression. Joy also lists support for LGBT issues, family concerns, career strain, and guilt and shame among her focus areas.
Her sessions are client-centered. She starts by listening to what matters most to the person in front of her. That helps identify small, practical steps for coping and clearer goals for therapy.
Joy uses a mix of methods depending on the issue. She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify unhelpful thinking patterns. She uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills when emotions feel overwhelming. Motivational Interviewing and Narrative Therapy support people who want to change habits or make sense of painful life stories.
Her work often addresses the everyday parts of life that pile up - workplace stress, caregiving strain, illness, or the grief of loss. She helps people sort through control issues, communication problems, and places where guilt or shame interfere with daily life.
Practical matters are part of the process. Sessions are oriented toward what can be tried between meetings. Joy aims to help people find clearer ways to cope, communicate, and move forward at their own pace.
How her approaches translate to online work
Joy blends client-centered therapy with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy in ways that fit remote sessions. Client-centered work focuses on listening and reflecting to clarify what matters most. This helps set goals and prioritize what to work on next. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy looks at connections between thoughts, feelings, and actions and often uses short exercises and homework that can be shared between sessions. Dialectical Behavior Therapy adds concrete skills for emotional regulation and distress tolerance when feelings are intense.Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. She collaborates with each person to choose methods that match their goals and preferences. That collaborative process includes checking what techniques feel useful and adjusting the plan as things change.
The practical benefit of online work is fitting therapy into everyday life. Confirm the current session options before booking, since formats are not specified in this profile. Online sessions can make it easier to attend from a different room, reduce travel time, or allow shorter check-ins around hectic schedules. The format choice is discussed early so sessions can be arranged to fit routines and needs.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
14+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, self-esteem, life changes, depression, and related concerns such as guilt and shame.
How would she approach feelings of shame or guilt?
She uses client-centered work alongside Cognitive Behavioral and Narrative techniques to help people examine thoughts, storylines, and behaviors that keep shame or guilt active.
What is her professional background?
She has 14 years of clinical experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and practices in Illinois.
Where is she licensed to practice?
She holds an Illinois LCSW and practices in Illinois.
Does she work in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients see her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.