Hi! I am Joanie McCollum, a Pa. Licensed Clinical Social Worker, born, raised and working in Philadelphia. I have been in the mental health field for the past 35 yrs and began my journey after starting psychotherapy for myself. I am experienced with children, teens, couples, families, individuals and groups who have struggles with issues of racialized trauma, depression, anxiety, addictions, childhood traumas and relational challenges. I am currently most effective and comfortable with working with adult or couples and offer a wealth of knowledge and perspectives to support you with managing in this journey called 'Life'. I look forward to getting to know you better!
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
I will help you discover things about yourself and others and help you make the decisions necessary for your well-being. I provide you a "safe space" to explore your thoughts and feelings and assist you with making behavioral changes you believe is needed. You will improve your communication with others and develop the ability to comfortably set and maintain healthy boundaries in your relationships with others.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
Narrative Family Therapy, Addiction Science, Trauma Theory and Internal Family Systems theories are the primary methods and tools I use to teach and support your understanding of self and others. Narrative theory focuses on the 'stories' we tell and live about ourselves and others, Addiction science is about "recovering" the person we were while trauma theory encourages us to 'remember and tell the truth' about painful or distressing experiences we have had. Finally, Internal family systems is geared to support our recognition of the various "parts of ourselves" and how they work together or not.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My greatest strength as a therapist is my ability to provide information in a down-to-earth fashion and clarify mental health jargon in "plain english" or 'laymen's terms'. I work diligently to simplify how therapy works and how you can work it for your ultimate benefit.