Joy Lotus, MA
Hi, I’m Joy! I am a Registered Professional Counselor Associate with over ten years of experience supporting youth and families. I believe deeply in the value of empowerment and youth voice within their own treatment. I am passionate about the transformation that comes from investigating personal barriers to a life filled with authenticity and connection.
The Professional StuffI am a transplant to Oregon from the foothills of Colorado with a Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling from the University of Northern Colorado. I worked as a paraprofessional for students with disabilities in a middle school in Colorado. I also worked as a mental health therapist in a school based setting in Colorado in two middle schools, and then as a therapist at a high school in the Medford area. As a care coordinator for a local coordinated care organization, I supported youth and families with accessing treatment for mental health both locally and in the Portland area. I have experience with youth along the LGBTQ+ spectrum, youth experiencing anxiety and depression, and youth in the midst of the loss of a parent or other challenging and painful life transitions. I have also worked with youth and families recovering from trauma and in the midst of relationship challenges.
The therapeutic models I utilize include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, Narrative Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy and Gestalt. It is important to me that the youth and family find their voice and become the leaders of their own treatment and lives. To this end, I enjoy using creativity such as creative writing, poetry, art, and movement to process emotion and make lasting life changes.
The Personal StuffOutside of providing therapy, I enjoy snuggling with my baby, eating the cakes and doughnuts my partner loves to bake, and visiting the coast. My favorite way to create is with words; specifically poetry and novels.