PuttingFamilyFirst

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

JD Portrait of Joan Dewey
Online therapist

Joan Dewey

Practical support for parents and caregivers

Credentials
LCSW
Experience
28 years
Licensed in
Arizona, Alaska
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Joan

Joan Dewey is a licensed clinical social worker who focuses on helping parents and caregivers facing everyday family challenges. She speaks plainly about stress, anxiety, grief, parenting concerns, and difficulties that affect daily family life. Joan aims to make conversations feel manageable and practical for someone reading on a phone or juggling a busy household.

Her approach is warm and respectful. She draws on client-centered work to listen first and learn what matters most to each person.

Background and approach

She also uses cognitive behavioral techniques to help people change unhelpful thoughts and try small, concrete behavioral steps. Joan has nearly three decades of experience and holds an LCSW license. She is licensed in Arizona as LCSW LCSW-18507 and also carries an Alaska license AK LCSW CSWS632.

That background informs how she understands stress, trauma, addiction, parenting, and a wide range of life changes. Sessions often focus on clear goals parents set together with Joan. She helps with communication skills, coping strategies, and steps for managing mood, sleep, or addictive behaviors.

She also addresses relationship and intimacy concerns when those affect family dynamics. Clients can expect straightforward conversation about what to try between sessions. Joan works with tools from mindfulness and motivational interviewing when those methods fit a family's needs.

The aim is steady, practical progress rather than quick fixes.

Therapeutic approaches and flexible online care

Joan commonly blends client-centered work and cognitive behavioral therapy. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening without judgment and helping people identify what matters most to them. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps break down unhelpful thoughts and build small, practical habits to feel better and handle stress.

She also draws on attachment-based ideas when relationships and family bonds are part of the concern. That approach looks at patterns in how people connect and helps families try new ways of relating to one another. Choosing the right approach is a joint process - Joan will work with each person to decide which methods fit their goals, preferences, and daily life.

The online format supports this collaborative work with several practical options. Video sessions allow face-to-face conversation from home, phone calls are available for simpler check-ins, and live chat or text-based messaging can be used for shorter questions or when schedules are tight. These formats aim to make therapy easier to fit into family life while still focusing on clear, step-by-step progress.

Attachment-Based Therapy

Looks at how early bonds shaped what you expect from closeness, and how that plays out now with a partner, a parent, or your own children.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Frequently asked questions

What problems does Joan commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, parenting challenges, relationship and intimacy-related issues, sleep and eating concerns, ADHD, and many other life stressors listed in her profile.
What is her therapy style like?
Joan uses a warm, respectful, client-centered style. She listens first, then helps set clear goals and offers practical steps using cognitive behavioral and mindfulness techniques.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings 28 years of professional experience working with people facing trauma, addiction, loss, parenting issues, and related concerns.
What credentials and location are on record?
She is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with licenses AK LCSW CSWS632 and AZ LCSW LCSW-18507, and practices in Arizona.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats does she provide?
Joan offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Joan?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Experience
28 years
Licensed
Arizona, Alaska
Languages
English

Next step

Talk to Joan

  • Takes a few minutes
  • Nothing to set up just to look
  • Stop at any point