JOANNA LOVE

Joanna Love PhD

https://doxy.me/doctorlove 

Psychologist

Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology, Marquette University 08/2013 – 09/2017
Master of Arts in Community Counseling, Marquette University 08/2006 – 08/2008
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Luther College 08/2002 – 05/2006

Specialized Training

Training in Adoption Competence (TAC)
Think Trauma

Teaching Experience

Trauma Counseling 1 (Con 650 Section 002), Mount Mary University: Fall 2017
Introduction to Counseling, Health Careers Opportunities Program (HCOP), Marquette University: Summer 2016
Trauma Counseling 1 (Con 650 Section 001), Mount Mary University: Spring 2016
Counseling Practicum (COUN 6965 Section 102), Marquette University: Spring 2016

My Therapeutic Approach

I use a highly personalized approach to understanding the whole person, and my clients play an active role in their own healing and growth. People who have never experienced therapy before will likely find my therapeutic style to be accessible and approachable.

I understand that assessment is an ongoing and collaborative process. I share the knowledge I have gained through my education and experience, so clients understand what informs my practice. I am very transparent with my perspectives, so clients shouldn’t have to wonder what I am thinking. I am far more interested in understanding the unique individual rather than focusing primarily on the specific diagnosis or problem.

Many individuals who meet me in therapy want to understand themselves better, want to feel understood, and want to believe that healing is possible. At the same time, it can be scary to know yourself, to share yourself with another person, and to hope that something can change. I meet my clients in the tension between fear and desire, to help them uncover their true identity, a greater sense of purpose, or more meaningful relationships.

I recognize that growth takes time and can be a challenging process. While we work together to gain insight into the source of difficulties, I offer active strategies proven to help improve mood, manage stress, and feel better in daily life.

Therapy is one way among many that people can find healing, and it is effective because it is based in a relationship. It is a deep honor to be present in the shared space of healing.

Some areas of competency and specialty

• Trauma recovery across the lifespan
• Issues related to adoption or foster care
• Attachment concerns or developmental trauma
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Depression and other mood disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Stress or adjustment difficulty
• Anger
• Grief/Loss
• Relationships
• Parenting

Services Offered

I see clients of all ages for individual therapy. Our initial appointment will prioritize gathering information, getting to know one another, and creating goals for our work together. After that, we typically plan to meet for regularly scheduled therapy appointments, to promote consistency in the healing process.

I provide family therapy with significant others or family members, when it is relevant and appropriate to the therapeutic goals.

In my work with children and teens, I look at family relationships, and parents are significantly involved in the process. I believe parents are the primary agents of healing in their children’s lives. I may schedule individual sessions with either the youth or with the caregiver(s), but most of our therapy appointments will occur together for at least part of the session.

I offer co-parenting counseling to parents who would like support in working together after a separation. However, I do not provide collaborative divorce services, mediation, or custody evaluations in the case of ongoing legal proceedings. I am happy to refer to other excellent psychologists who specialize in these areas.

I offer adoption-competent services to any adopted individual, child, adult, or parent who has been affected by adoption, foster care, kinship care. I also offer pre-adoptions psychological evaluations for individuals or couples hoping to adopt internationally or domestically.