Joann Oyola

Joann Oyola is a bilingual Licensed Professional Counselor. She takes a holistic approach to care, thoughtfully integrating emotional, mental, and spiritual health to support the whole person. Joann creates a compassionate and grounded space where clients can slow down, feel truly heard, and begin to make sense of what feels overwhelming. She meets people where they are, especially in difficult, often stuck places that can feel hard to move through on their own, helping them understand what’s keeping them stuck and move forward with greater clarity and confidence. Who She Helps Joann has a heart for individuals and families who feel overwhelmed, weighed down, or unsure of how to move forward, and who are seeking healing, clarity, and lasting change. She works with children, adolescents, adults, and couples navigating both everyday struggles and deeper emotional wounds. She works with: Individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, and mood-related concerns Clients processing trauma and post-traumatic stress, including both acute and long-term experiences Those navigating grief and loss and major life transitions Women facing relational, emotional, and identity-related challenges Individuals struggling with eating disorders, self-injury, and unhealthy coping patterns Parents seeking support and guidance Clients navigating cultural transitions and integration Couples seeking support with relational conflict, communication, and growth Spanish-speaking individuals seeking therapy in their preferred language Joann offers both in-person and virtual sessions, providing flexibility and accessibility to meet clients where they are. How She Works Joann’s approach is gentle, compassionate, and grounded, while also intentional and direct when needed. She blends Biblical truth with evidence-based practices, creating a therapeutic space where emotional, mental, and spiritual healing can take place together. She integrates approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based practices. Through this work, she helps clients identify unhelpful thought patterns, regulate emotions, and reconnect with their values. Clients often experience Joann as both deeply empathetic and appropriately direct. She creates an environment where grace and truth coexist, where clients feel supported while also being challenged toward growth. Together, the work focuses not just on managing symptoms but on getting to the root of pain through self-discovery, insight, and intentional healing. Why This Work Joann is deeply passionate about walking alongside people as they move toward freedom, healing, and restoration. She believes that no one is meant to navigate pain alone and that meaningful change happens in the context of safe, supportive relationships. Her desire to integrate faith and counseling comes from a belief that true healing is holistic—touching the emotional, mental, and spiritual parts of a person’s life. She has seen how powerful it can be when individuals begin to understand their story, confront what has been holding them back, and step into a new way of living with clarity and purpose. Education and Training MA in Mental Health Counseling, Trinity International University Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), State of Illinois National Certified Counselor (NCC), National Board for Certified Counselors Bilingual clinician (English and Spanish) Specialization in trauma-informed care A Little More About Joann Joann is deeply committed to helping people move toward freedom, healing, and lasting change. She brings a calm, intentional presence to each session, creating space for clients to explore their inner world while guiding them toward understanding the deeper roots of their pain. Her approach reflects both her professional training and her lived experience. Joann has been married for 26 years and is a mother of three children. She lived in Puerto Rico for 20 years and has spent the remainder of her life in Chicago—experiences that have shaped her understanding of cultural transitions and life changes. She currently leads and serves in diverse ministries alongside her husband at their church and especially enjoys mentoring and walking alongside young women. She values living and working in ways that align with who she is, bringing authenticity, faith, and intentional care to her work with every client.