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A smiling woman with long brown hair, dressed in a beige blouse and black pants, sitting on a striped armchair in a beige-walled room.

Joan Murphy, MA, LCPC, CCTP

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Certified Clinical Trauma Practitioner
Licensed School Counselor
(she/her)

Helping You Feel Understood, Supported, and Empowered to Move Forward

Life can feel overwhelming when anxiety, trauma, grief, relationship difficulties, school stress, or major life changes begin affecting the way you feel about yourself and the world around you. You may know that something needs to change but feel unsure where to begin.

I work with children, adolescents, adults, parents, and families facing a wide range of emotional, behavioral, relationship, and life challenges. My goal is to create a supportive and trusting space where you feel comfortable being yourself, exploring what is difficult, and developing the skills and confidence to move forward.

I believe you are the expert on your own life. Therapy should be collaborative, respectful, and tailored to your individual needs. At the same time, meaningful growth sometimes requires stepping outside of our comfort zones. I offer encouragement, support, and gentle challenge to help you develop greater insight, resilience, and lasting change.

Who I Work With

I enjoy working with people across the lifespan and have particular experience supporting individuals navigating:

  • Anxiety and excessive worry

  • Trauma and PTSD

  • Grief and loss

  • Depression and mood disorders

  • Bipolar disorders

  • OCD

  • ADHD and executive functioning difficulties

  • Eating disorders and body-image concerns

  • Stress and burnout

  • Low self-esteem

  • Life transitions

  • Relationship and marital difficulties

  • Pregnancy and postpartum struggles

  • Parenting challenges

  • Behavioral concerns

  • Social-skills difficulties

  • School and academic challenges

  • Teen and adolescent concerns

  • Educational advocacy

  • First responder stress and trauma

  • Educator stress and burnout

Because of my years working in school settings, I also understand how emotional, behavioral, social, and executive-functioning difficulties can affect a child or teenager both at home and at school. I enjoy helping young people and their families better understand what is getting in the way and identifying practical strategies that can help.

My Approach to Therapy

There is no single approach to therapy that works for everyone. I tailor treatment to the person in front of me, drawing from evidence-based approaches that fit your needs, personality, strengths, and goals.

Depending on what is most helpful for you, I may incorporate:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

  • Trauma-informed therapy

  • Person-centered therapy

  • Mindfulness-based strategies

  • Strengths-based approaches

  • Executive functioning coaching

  • Play and expressive techniques for children and adolescents

My priority is building a strong and trusting therapeutic relationship where you feel heard, respected, and empowered. Together, we can better understand the patterns affecting your life, build practical tools for managing challenges, and create meaningful changes that feel sustainable.

Children, Teens & School-Related Concerns

My background as both a therapist and licensed school counselor gives me a unique understanding of the challenges children, teenagers, and families can face within educational settings.

I have worked in multiple school environments, developing individualized support plans, providing individual and group counseling, and collaborating with parents, teachers, and other professionals.

I can help children, teens, and families with concerns such as:

  • Anxiety and school-related stress

  • ADHD and executive functioning

  • Emotional regulation

  • Behavioral concerns

  • Peer and social difficulties

  • Academic challenges

  • School avoidance

  • Major transitions

  • Parent-child concerns

  • Educational advocacy

When appropriate, I can also help parents better understand their child's needs and navigate conversations with schools and other members of their child's support team.

Trauma-Informed Care

As a Certified Clinical Trauma Practitioner (CCTP), I understand that difficult or overwhelming experiences can affect emotions, relationships, self-esteem, physical responses, and the way we understand ourselves and others.

Trauma therapy is not about forcing you to revisit experiences before you are ready. I work at a pace that feels manageable while helping you build safety, coping strategies, insight, and resilience.

I also have a particular interest in supporting first responders and others whose professions may expose them to chronic stress or traumatic experiences.

A Culturally Responsive & Affirming Space

I was born in Ireland and moved to the United States when I was nine years old. My own experience adjusting to a different culture has contributed to my appreciation for the ways culture, identity, family, community, and personal values shape our experiences.

I value creating a space where people from different backgrounds feel respected and understood, particularly when aspects of their identity or culture have previously felt overlooked or invalidated.

I am committed to providing care that is LGBTQIA+ affirming, neurodivergent affirming, sex positive, body positive, culturally responsive, and supportive of racial justice.

Background & Training

I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Trinity International University and my Master of Arts in Counselor Education from Northeastern Illinois University.

My professional experience includes both private-practice and school-based counseling. Before working in private practice, I worked as a school counselor in several educational settings, where I provided counseling, developed individualized student supports, facilitated groups, and collaborated closely with families and educators.

I have also completed additional professional education and training in trauma-informed care, college counseling, educational equity, college admissions, NCAA student-athlete advising, and financial-aid considerations.

I am a professional member of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and the American Counseling Association (ACA).

Outside of work, I am also a mom and enjoy spending time with my family and my dog, Pearl.

Ready to Get Started?

Whether you’re looking for therapy for your child or teenager, yourself, or support with parenting, relationships, trauma, school concerns, or a major life transition, finding a therapist who makes you feel comfortable, understood, and accepted is an important first step.

If you’re navigating anxiety, trauma, grief, depression, ADHD or executive functioning difficulties, relationship challenges, parenting concerns, pregnancy or postpartum struggles, school-related difficulties, stress, or burnout, and think I may be a good fit, I’d be happy to help you take that next step.

Call Brighter Pathways at (224) 723-5772

Our patient assistant can answer your questions, help determine whether I may be a good fit for your needs, schedule your first appointment, and verify your insurance coverage.

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor: Illinois License #180.015918