Joel Kirchstein, LPC - Therapist in Wisconsin

About Joel

Joel Kirchstein is a licensed professional counselor who trained in religion and psychology before completing graduate counseling studies. He holds an M.A. in Professional Counseling and an M.A. in Human Resource Counseling, and he works from Wisconsin. Joel believes people already carry strengths that help them move through hard moments, and he offers steady support when someone decides to change their life.

He approaches sessions with a practical, respectful style.

Background and approach

Joel listens first, then helps clients name what’s most pressing. From there he develops concrete steps and goals tailored to each situation. Sessions tend to focus on skills people can use between meetings.

Joel brings four years of counseling experience to a range of concerns. He has worked with stress, anxiety, depression, and compassion fatigue. He also helps with relationship and intimacy-related issues, parenting matters, grief, anger, and coping with life changes.

His training includes client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT, narrative therapy, and solution-focused therapy. He pairs those methods with a faith-informed background and certificates in topics like healthy sexuality and marriage work when relevant to a client’s goals. Clients can expect a collaborative tone that emphasizes clear steps and personal strengths.

Joel is completing doctoral study in Christian education and research while continuing clinical work in Wisconsin. Sessions are offered in English.

Therapeutic approaches for online family and parenting support

Client-centered therapy puts the person’s experience first and helps the therapist follow what matters most to the client. This approach is useful when someone needs a listening space and guidance built around their values and goals.

Cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT focuses on how thoughts, feelings, and actions connect and teaches concrete coping skills. It is often used for anxiety, stress, mood challenges, and problems that benefit from clear practice between sessions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and life circumstances and recommend methods that match the client’s needs. This is a collaborative process and may blend more than one method as work progresses.

Online therapy through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging offers flexibility for busy schedules and varied comfort levels. These formats make it easier to keep continuity during life changes and allow people to choose how they connect most comfortably. Licensed professionals can use these tools to focus on practical steps, problem solving, and strengthening family and parenting skills without requiring travel.

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.

Narrative Therapy

Looking at the story you have come to tell about yourself, and where it came from. The work is in separating the problem from your identity and finding accounts that fit you better.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does Joel help with?

He works with stress, anxiety, depression, and compassion fatigue, plus relationship and intimacy-related issues. Parenting concerns, grief, anger, and coping with life changes are also part of his focus.

How does he approach therapy?

He starts by listening and identifying strengths, then uses practical steps and goals. Techniques draw from client-centered, CBT, narrative, and solution-focused methods.

What is his professional background?

Joel has an M.A. in Professional Counseling and an M.A. in Human Resource Counseling and is pursuing doctoral study in Christian education and research. He also holds certificates from the American Association of Christian Counselors in several topics.

Where is Joel licensed and located?

He is a licensed professional counselor with the Wisconsin LPC number WI LPC 10071-125 and practices from Wisconsin.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can people outside the US work with him?

He does not accept international clients at this time.

What session formats are available?

Sessions can take place via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

How are costs and getting started handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability and uses a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 4 years
Licensed: Wisconsin
Languages: English

Next step

Talk to Joel

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

Book with Joel