Dr. Jo Ellyn Walker

I specialize in working with members of historically marginalized groups including members of the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, & especially women of color. I also have extensive experience working with students at various levels: college, health professional, & graduate. I have extensive experience providing therapy in multiple settings including: university counseling centers, veterans affairs (VA) medical centers, & community mental health centers. Some of the common concerns that I work with people on, include: anxiety, depression, grief, work-related stress, adjustment/phase of life concerns, & relational concerns.

I view therapy as a collaborative, goal-oriented process in which I support clients to make meaningful changes in their lives. I strive to create a supportive & challenging environment to foster clients’ empowerment & build on existing strengths & resilience. Clients often describe me as: warm, understanding, & empathic; & express appreciation for my use of: humor, directness, & authenticity during our clinical interactions.

Treatment is grounded in a firm understanding of: clients’ identities, histories, & values; as well as the mind-body-spirit connection. Emphasis is placed on context: how client exists in the world & their ways of being, doing, & knowing. Equally important are the ways in which clients create & attach meaning to their experiences. Finally, the therapeutic relationship is considered central to the change process. Typically treatment incorporates coping skills development, as well as the development of greater understanding of one's relationship to self & others.