I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in the States of California and Oregon with over 34 years of experience in a wide variety of settings, working with differing populations and ages. I have helped others who are looking to start or maintain their healing journey or are experiencing obstacles such as depression, anxiety, relationship conflict, addictions and trauma (including multi-generational trauma). My clinical focus is on individual adult men and women from various ethnic backgrounds. It has become abundantly clear to me (especially since working within a global Telehealth format) that regardless of where we come from or our individual life story, we all share the common needs for purpose, meaning, and value in our lives. Those who have worked with me on BetterHelp know that I pay close attention to words, love metaphors, and use humor when it is appropriate to do so. My style is warm and actively engaging and my approach pulls from various sources including solution-focused, dialectical behavior, narrative, and experiential therapies. I can’t believe it has been over 4 years since I joined BH. I have developed a model “in honor” of this milestone. I hope it brings clarity to you as to how I may approach your situation. I look forward to meeting you: Joy’s CHIPS Model© … Chipping away at human problems Cognitive Distortions – checking in on narratives Communication – listening vs hearing, stonewalling, ghosting Comparisons – soul killer Compassion – Kindness towards Self? Others? Regret & Resentments Context – environment, culture, religion, health Control – can/can’t (anxiety/panic, codependency, addictions), fear of losing Healthy Distractions – Skills & Tools Honesty – transparency Humility – gratitude? narcissism? I – Am I making it all about me? codependency? narcissism? I – Interpretations & Assumptions, Emotional Maturity Patience Paying Attention – and Mindfulness Petrified – including fear of feeling better Physical – health, including its cause for MH issues Projection – onto others & forecasting Proof – of assumptions Purpose Self-Awareness Self-Sabotage Substances Support System “Don’t cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of time making it.” ― Aubrey de Grey “The only way to live a life without regret is to pay attention.” ~ Sam Harris