Joan Holmes , LPC

Joan Holmes is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in New Jersey with 25 years of experience supporting individuals and families through a wide range of life challenges. She earned a Bachelor of Science, cum laude, in Community Health Science and a Master’s Degree in Applied Clinical and Counseling Psychology from William Paterson University. Over the course of her career she has worked with families in their homes to strengthen relationships and build practical support systems, and she has supported children on the autism spectrum and their families through developmental and behavioral concerns.

Her clinical background includes work in nonprofit social service settings and direct counseling for teens in both home and group home environments. Joan has assisted people confronting ADHD, anxiety, serious depression and suicidal behavior, severe family and interpersonal dysfunction, chronic illness and caregiving stress, and the complex grieving that follows the loss of a loved one. She also brings experience with issues such as adoption and foster care, attachment difficulties, blended family dynamics, and caregiving for aging relatives.

Joan’s therapeutic stance is primarily client-centered - she emphasizes respectful, patient listening and tailors sessions to each person’s needs. She approaches problem solving with empathy and a nonjudgmental attitude, aiming to help clients open the door to improved wellbeing and more satisfying, productive lives. As an LPC she is a licensed mental health professional trained to provide counseling and clinical support in New Jersey.

Therapeutic approaches for online care

Joan integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Attachment-Based and Client-Centered approaches to support clients in online settings. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, and it focuses on identifying personal values to guide meaningful action - it is often helpful for anxiety, stress, and life transitions. Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early relationships shape current patterns, offering ways to repair connection and improve relationship functioning, which can benefit families and couples dealing with abandonment or attachment issues. Client-Centered Therapy places the client at the center of the process, using empathetic listening and respect to create a space where people can explore concerns like depression, grief, or self-esteem struggles.

Finding the right approach is part of therapy, and Joan works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. The process is guided by the client’s priorities and adjusted as progress unfolds.

Online therapy with Joan is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for busy schedules, mobility limitations, or geographic constraints. These options make it easier for clients to maintain continuity of care, attend sessions consistently, and choose the format that best supports their day-to-day life.