Joe @ the mend

Many people come to therapy believing they should be able to manage on their own, or that struggling means they’ve failed in some way. I see things differently. Suffering is a part of being human, and therapy can be a place where we slow down, make room for what’s difficult, and begin to relate to ourselves with more honesty and compassion.

In my work, I help clients explore the stories they’ve learned about themselves—often shaped by past experiences, relationships, or systems that didn’t fully see or support them—and gently loosen the grip of narratives that no longer serve them. Rather than focusing solely on symptom reduction, I’m interested in helping people clarify what matters most to them and take meaningful steps toward lives that feel more authentic, grounded, and values-driven.

I believe healing happens not through fixing what’s “wrong,” but through deepening understanding, increasing flexibility, and reconnecting with a sense of purpose and agency—even in the presence of anxiety, depression, or ongoing life challenges.

 My approach is integrative and rooted in a humanistic and existential framework. I draw primarily from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and narrative-informed work, while remaining attentive to how early experiences, relationships, and larger systems shape our inner worlds.

I have extensive experience working across the acuity spectrum—from individuals living with serious and persistent mental illness to those navigating anxiety, depression, identity questions, grief, and major life transitions. Regardless of the concern that brings someone to therapy, I strive to create a collaborative, respectful space where clients are viewed as the experts on their own lives, with an inherent capacity for growth and change.

My style is relational, thoughtful, and steady. I value curiosity, humor when appropriate, and a pace that honors both safety and challenge.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Asheville, North Carolina. My professional path has included private practice, hospital, community mental health, residential, and telehealth settings, which has given me a deep respect for the complexity and resilience of the people I work with.

In addition to my clinical training, I hold an MFA in Creative Writing, and I’m especially drawn to the ways meaning, identity, and story shape how we understand ourselves and our lives. Outside of therapy, I value time with my family, reading and writing, and being in the mountains—places that offer perspective, grounding, and space to breathe.