Joy has lived in Pennsylvania all her life and, and she completely credits her father for a lot of who she is today.  Joy is a very well-spoken person who always sets her mind on her goals and achieves them. Joy never stops dreaming and works hard to achieve every goal she sets in her life.  She believes that life, like therapy, is an ever-evolving growth and learning process.  Joy also is very warm and accepting of people.  She understands that many circumstances can lead to behaviors, choices, and outcomes. Everyone should strive and not be afraid to make changes to be the best they can be.   

She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Penn State University.  Immediately following graduation, she attended graduate school at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and earned her master’s degree in Community Counseling.  Joy achieved all of this while having a young son to raise.  Ironically, Joy attended college and modeled the importance of an education to her young son. He grew up, attended college and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. She has two young grandchildren, Aubrey and Luke.  She tries to spend as much time with her beautiful grandchildren as possible because she firmly believes of the strong affects that modeling has on children.  

Joy is passionate about a holistic and integrative approach to her work as a therapist, using Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and person-centered techniques, so that each client feels unique and valued.  She believes whole-heartedly that all people can find their resilience and regain a sense of empowerment to work through any problem or situation they are facing in life. Joy’s hobbies include sewing, making quilts and bags, reading, walking, fitness, and nutrition.