Joy Close , LCSW

Joy Close is a licensed clinical social worker who helps adults navigate stress, anxiety, grief, life changes, and concerns around sexuality and identity. She offers a calm, accepting presence and focuses on practical steps people can use right away. Joy aims to help clients build stronger coping skills and clearer self-understanding so they feel more capable in daily life.

Joy brings 28 years of clinical experience in North Carolina to her practice. She works with adults on a wide range of concerns, including depression, addictions, relationship and family issues, trauma and post-traumatic stress, and challenges related to parenting, sleep, and work. She also addresses issues common for caregivers, people living with chronic illness, and those facing end-of-life concerns.

Her approach blends several therapies to match each person’s needs. Joy uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people notice thoughts without getting stuck. She draws on client-centered and mindfulness methods to create a respectful, grounded pace. Solution-focused and psychodynamic ideas help her tailor short- and longer-term work.

Joy describes her style as collaborative and nonjudgmental. She aims to create a space where people feel heard, valued, and empowered to try new strategies. She is explicitly LGBTQIA+ affirming and approaches social justice and multicultural concerns as central to her work.

Sessions are offered by video, phone, live chat, and text-based messaging. English is the language of service and international clients are not accepted. To begin, a person completes a short matching questionnaire and schedules according to therapist availability.

Therapeutic approaches that translate well online

Joy often uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them. ACT supports values-based action, which can help with anxiety, depression, grief, and life transitions. Client-centered Therapy is another frequent element - it emphasizes a respectful, listening stance that helps people feel heard and build trust while they work through problems.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Joy works together with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and comfort level. That collaboration means strategies can shift over time, adding short-term problem solving or deeper exploration as needed.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy more flexible. Video is useful for in-depth sessions where nonverbal cues matter. Phone sessions can fit into a work break or require less bandwidth. Live chat or text messaging work well for quick check-ins, brief skill practice, or when typing feels easier than talking. These options help people keep therapy consistent around their daily lives.