- Years in practice
- 15
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Licensed in
- Illinois
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Trauma and abuse
- Focus
- Anger management
About Johanna
Johanna Westin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 15 years of practice in behavioral health. She focuses on practical support for parents and other adults facing stress, anxiety, trauma, relationship strain, and life changes. Johanna writes plainly and meets people where they are so they can begin to make steady progress.
Her background includes work in both inpatient and outpatient settings. That variety means she has experience with short-term crisis work and longer-term therapy.
Background and approach
She has led individual sessions, group therapy, and worked with people through family conflicts and blended family transitions. Johanna uses several approaches to match how a person prefers to work. She brings client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral tools to help people recognize unhelpful patterns and try new ways of coping.
She also draws on mindfulness practices and skills from dialectical behavior therapy to manage strong emotions and reduce reactivity. When trauma is part of the story, she incorporates methods aimed at processing traumatic memories while keeping the pace manageable for each person. Her style is down-to-earth and relaxed, and she emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship as the foundation for change.
Parents reading this will find a clinician who listens to everyday struggles like discipline, communication, guilt, and burnout. Johanna helps people break problems into small, doable steps and celebrate progress along the way.
What Johanna works with
Everything Johanna lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Johanna helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Coping with life changes
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Parenting issues
- Career difficulties
- Depression
- Compassion fatigue
- Blended family issues
- Communication problems
- Family problems
- Guilt and shame
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
Approaches Johanna lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Approaches that fit online parenting and trauma work
Johanna commonly blends client-centered therapy with cognitive behavioral strategies. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening, empathy, and tailoring sessions to what matters most to each person, which helps when parents want practical, compassionate support. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and behaviors and offers clear exercises to change patterns that increase anxiety or low mood.She also uses elements of dialectical behavior therapy to teach emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. Those skills can reduce reactivity during heated moments at home and improve communication with family members. Choosing an approach is a collaborative process; Johanna works with clients to decide which methods match their goals, comfort level, and pace so therapy feels workable and respectful.
Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Video is useful for deeper conversations and demonstrating skills. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging allow brief, flexible support between sessions and can fit into busy parenting schedules. These options make it easier to attend regularly and practice skills in day-to-day life.
Questions people ask about Johanna
What concerns does Johanna commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, anger, low self-esteem, grief, parenting challenges, relationship and family problems, depression, compassion fatigue, and related issues like panic and guilt.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her approach is down-to-earth and relaxed. She focuses on building a respectful relationship and using practical skills to help people manage emotions and make small changes.
What professional background does she bring?
Johanna has 15 years of experience working in both inpatient and outpatient settings, providing individual therapy, group work, and support around family and blended family concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She holds an LCSW and practices in Illinois.
Which languages are supported and can international clients join?
Sessions are offered in English. She is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available online?
Sessions can be conducted via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
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