Joy Close

Joy Close is a licensed clinical social worker who helps adults navigating grief, anxiety, depression, and major life changes. She focuses on clear, practical support so people can feel steadier and more able to manage everyday demands. Joy emphasizes respect and acceptance, and she aims to create a space where clients feel heard and valued.

Joy brings 28 years of experience working with adults on concerns like trauma, relationship struggles, caregiving stress, and issues related to aging, chronic illness, and cancer. She also supports people facing hospice and end-of-life questions and those coping with isolation or post-traumatic stress. Her background includes long-term work with LGBTQIA+ clients and attention to multicultural and social justice issues.

Her sessions are collaborative; she talks with clients to set goals and build skills that fit their lives. Joy blends approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, client-centered listening, mindfulness practices, psychodynamic reflection, and solution-focused steps. These methods are chosen to match each person’s needs rather than following a single formula.

In practical terms, Joy helps people learn coping tools, improve communication, manage strong emotions, and clarify values and next steps. She also supports caregivers and veterans dealing with role strain and trauma. The emphasis is on steady progress and usable strategies rather than quick fixes.

Joy identifies as anti-racist, anti-sexist, LGBTQIA+ affirming, and sex positive. She works with adult clients from varied racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds and aims to make therapy accessible and respectful for diverse life experiences.

Therapeutic approaches and how they translate online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then choose actions that match their values. It is useful for anxiety, depression, grief, and life transitions. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and understanding; the therapist reflects what matters to the person and helps them find their own solutions. This approach supports improved self-understanding and trust. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention practices to reduce stress and improve sleep and concentration, often by using short daily exercises and in-session practice.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped in the past. Together they decide which methods to try first and adjust as progress is made, so the plan fits the client’s needs and pace.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the current session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. It can also let people use mindfulness exercises at home between sessions and practice new communication skills in everyday settings. Ask about specific session formats during the matching process so you know which options are available.