Joseph Hoffman
LCSW, 15 years of experience
About me
Hello, I was born and raised in Stockton, California. I enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 17 and in 1997, after 25 yeas of service, I retired from the Marine Corps as a Master Sergeant. After retiring from the Marine Corps, I worked as a Farrier (Horseshoer), as well as a structural welder (Ironworker), as those were the most marketable skill that I had. I came to a point where old injuries came back to haunt me and I could no longer walk (several years later, thanks to a surgery through the VA, I can walk again; thankful for that). At this point, I changed professions and out of a desire to work with veterans, I returned to school, accomplishing all that was necessary to become a licensed counselor. I spent another career working for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, specifically as a counselor in the Readjustment Counseling Service (Vet Center). I recently retired from the Vet Center and now I work part-time here with Grow Therapy. As a retired Marine senior staff Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) and disabled combat veteran myself, the Vet Center was the perfect job. Vet Centers provide readjustment counseling to combat veterans and provide counseling to survivors of military sexual trauma (MST). Vet Centers also provide group counseling, bereavement counseling and couples counseling when this is determined to be of support to the veteran. Readjustment counseling many times consists of treating/addressing symptoms related to post-traumatic stress (PTSD), I.e., anxiety, depression, exaggerated startle response, hypervigilance, sleep disturbance, etc. Many veterans go on to work as first responders and working with many first responders as well as medical personal, has provided me with a great deal of additional experience.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
We will discuss client issues and concerns and what you would like to get out of counseling. I like to take use the first session to start to get to know each other and begin to put together a plan to get you to where you want to be.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I am a certified (EMDR International Association) EMDR therapist. I am also a certified, Department of Veterans Affairs provider of cognitive processing therapy (CPT). As a retired Marine, now in my late 60s, I have lived a full life and within my area of expertise, I can approach situations with a strong background consisting of many years of experience.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
Veterans, first responders, trauma survivors. grief and loss. Military sexual trauma. Also Catholic clients.
Specialties
Top specialties
Other specialties
I identify as
Serves ages
My treatment methods
EMDR
I am a trained EMDR therapist and certified (Certified EMDR Therapist) by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). This means that I have a great deal of experience with this therapy.
Cognitive Processing (CPT)
I am trained and certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to deliver Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). I have had a great deal of success providing this therapy to veterans working through trauma.
Hypnotherapy
I received my training in Hypnotherapy at the Hypnotherapy Training Institute in Corte Madera, California. I have had a great deal of success utilizing hypnotherapy as an intervention for a variety of issues, such as depression, anxiety, phobias and procrastination.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy
I was trained by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to deliver this therapy and have had much success with veterans and other individuals working through trauma, who are willing to participate in this form of therapeutic intervention.
Location
VirtualLicensed in
Accepts
3 ratings with written reviews
July 4, 2025
This is my first appointment, and it has gone as well as I had hoped. In fact, it has gone so well that I will book another meeting. I feel like I am actually I'm actually heard with good feedback for solutions.
Verified client, age 25-34
July 3, 2025
Joseph has played a key role in helping me manage my mental health. As a combat veteran, I’ve struggled to find someone who truly understands what I’ve been through, but Joseph approaches every session with empathy and genuine care. He doesn’t rely on a checklist; he talks to you like a real person. Whether it’s everyday stress or more profound trauma, he knows how to be present and supportive in a way that makes all the difference.
Verified client, age 25-34
April 11, 2025
A phenomenal therapist. You can tell he cares about his clients and does not shy away from listening to people's day-to-day issues. He listened when I had horrible days ranging from work issues to more personal trauma and all of that with the same level of care, concern, and overall authentic open-mindedness feedback.