Joan Soulliere
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a master's degree in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh. My experience includes working with adults aged 18 and up, I am EMDRIA EMDR trained, and I also incorporate ACT, CBT, Mindfulness, attachment-focused approaches, and
Practical, compassionate support for processing trauma and rebuilding self-trust
Somatics (body awareness) in order to provide the best therapeutic approach for each client. Life can hit hard. I work with clients to help them explore their relationships with others and with themselves. I am attuned to moments of shame and vulnerability as I help to nurture insight, empowerment, and self-compassion. I offer a nuanced approach to working with trauma (past or present), creating safety within the therapeutic relationship, while navigating paths to healing on the outside. I have extensive experience working with seniors, caregivers, healthcare professionals and students.
First session
During the first session, the client and I will discuss their goals for therapy and the concerns which brought him/her/them to therapy. I will review pertinent information gathered from the intake forms and answer questions relating to which treatment modality/modalities may be best suited to address these concerns. We will review any additional questions the client may have and make plans for future sessions.
Strengths
I utilize warmth, humor and focus on strengths to join with clients to help them explore their relationships with others and with themselves. I believe that all people have the right to have their story heard and respected and to receive honest and supportive feedback. I also believe in the dignity of the individual, and I recognize seeking therapy can be difficult for individuals who are used to a high degree of independence and achievement. The most important tool a therapist has is the ability to truly listen as someone shares parts of his or her life that has not been addressed due to shame, guilt, or embarrassment. As a person with decades of living, I bring a sense of stability and proportion to the therapeutic relationship,
Ideal clients
An ideal client is willing to ask questions and do what can be the hard work of getting to know their emotions and distress. The ideal client is willing to practice new behaviors and responses in order to work toward their goals. The ideal client is curious about therapy and is willing to trust therapy and work collaboratively with the therapist.
Origin story
Clinical Social Work is my second career. Previously, I worked as a librarian in public libraries in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. I worked with families and individuals to help them find answers to problems and questions, and I listened to their stories. I listened to people talk about family and relationship issues, emotional struggles, and grief and loss, and ask questions about parenting, partnering, and caregiving. I became a therapist because I have a deep sense of empathy for others, as well as the skills and training to help people find ways to work with and solve their concerns, problems, and distress.
Ongoing work together
I will ask the client to fill out specific assessments/questionnaires at the beginning of the therapeutic relationship and ask them to fill them out again at specific times in order to have an objective way of measuring progress. We will also discuss treatment goals and objectives throughout the sessions as a way of tracking progress and if necessary, making changes. Oftentimes, a client will come to therapy with one primary concern and then discover that there are other paths they want to explore. This is normal and why it is important for the therapist and client to have open honest communication.
Treatment methods
EMDR
EMDR is used to treat trauma and is especially effective for PTSD and C-PTSD. Trauma occurs when a person's sense of safety is shattered and they are not emotionally equipped to respond to the traumatic event or traumatic relationship(s). The person is left with unresolved memories which can show up as nightmares, negative beliefs about him/herself, and fractured relationships. EMDR therapy involves eight stages, and I guide the client through the 8 stages involved in EMDR. This therapy requires commitment because it is most effective when done in successive therapy session with as little gap as possible between sessions.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is highly effective in helping reduce distressing symptoms relating to depression, anxiety, life transitions and stress. CBT is great because it teaches skills a person can practice and use throughout a lifetime. CBT asks individuals to pay attention to their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and practice making changes. I use CBT especially when an individual is stuck in a pattern not working for them, such as difficulty with establishing healthy boundaries.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I often used Mindfulness-Based Therapy at the beginning of a session in order to help the client practice not judging emotions and thoughts as right or wrong and to focus on what is happening at that time. I teach clients with anxiety how to use Mindfulness as a way to help diminish the "noise" they are experiencing when overwhelmed by demands and distractions,
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I utilize ACT with clients who are experiencing PTSD, depression, and anxiety. ACT teaches new ways of viewing the self in relation to our emotions, values, and suffering. ACT works best for adults who have the capacity for abstract thinking and are open to Mindfulness-based therapeutic approaches.
Narrative
I utilize Narrative therapy with geriatric clients as a means of telling their life's story and finding resolution and peace. Narrative therapy is especially effective with the elderly because it is normal to be conducting a "life review" and trying to fill in answers to questions about relationships, decisions, and events. Narrative therapy allows the client to be in charge of their own story. The therapist encourages the client to refine and dig deeper and find clarity.
Location
Virtual sessions
In-person sessions5908 Bryant St, Pittsburgh, PA 15206