Joanna Gardy, LMHC (she/her/hers)
You can change your life for the better.
Individual therapy for women throughout Massachusetts.
Life doesn’t have to feel this hard.
Sometimes it is a significant life event that brings us to therapy: the loss of a loved one, divorce, or medical diagnosis. You may be here because you are feeling stuck and overwhelmed in your relationships and with life. Or, you believe you “should” feel happy and grateful yet long for more happiness and joy.
Even positive events like starting a new job or a promotion, moving, getting married, becoming a new parent, or being in a new relationship can have us feeling both excited and stressed or anxious. You don’t have to go through this alone.
How I work
Research shows that the #1 predictor for successful therapy is the relationship and connection you have with your therapist. I was fortunate to have support during challenging times in my life, and this played a huge role in my wanting to become a therapist.
As a therapist, I bring an awareness of many influences that might affect your emotional well-being, including physical health, social support, and cultural background. I work best with people who are ready to invest in themselves and do the deep work needed for healing and change. This may look like focused, brief therapy over a few sessions or a longer-term commitment.
My approach is compassionately direct. I will encourage you to look at parts of yourself and your life that may be difficult to look at on your own. I am committed to my own personal and professional growth and to the ongoing work needed to bring an anti-racist, anti-oppression perspective as a therapist.
I love what I do and feel deeply honored when clients have chosen me to be a part of and be a witness to their growth.
Am I the right therapist for you?
You may have tried therapy before and it wasn’t the right fit or you have go-to podcasts and self-help books on your bedside table. Yet, you still feel stuck and overwhelmed.
I help clients give voice to what they are experiencing, feeling, and needing in order to get at the root of change.
Every person experiences significant life events and I am no exception. My lived experience allows me to bring empathy and understanding to our work while also holding space for the uniqueness of your story.
Clients describe me as engaged, interactive, warm, and supportive. I believe humor is an essential part of the therapy process - everything we do together doesn’t have to be heavy! I’ll encourage you to explore patterns and aspects of yourself with curiosity and the compassion needed for change to happen.
We may feel alone but many of our feelings, thoughts, and experiences are shared.
Training & Education
Licensed Mental Health Counselor - License # 6986 (Massachusetts)
M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Lesley University
B.S. in Mass Communication, Emerson College
Internal Family Systems (IFS) - Level One trained
Advanced Grief & Loss Training
Mind/Body and Trauma-Informed Approaches
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy