Joy Nguyen, MA

Who am I?

Hi there, my name is Joy, and I am a Resident in Counseling! I earned my MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University in December 2021. Outside of my work as a counselor, I am a wife and mother of (soon-to-be) two! Prior to joining Abundant Life Partners, I worked in the public school setting to provide mental and behavioral health services to students ranging from elementary-aged to high school, while also providing support to their parents and guardians. I also have experience in working with grieving children, early childhood education, and working with siblings of children with complex medical needs.

I approach counseling from a strengths-based perspective, seeing the value and dignity in each human and their story. As a Christian, I work from a Biblical worldview while incorporating solution-focused and cognitive behavioral techniques and methods. I truly believe in the power of the therapeutic relationship and strive to bring a sense of warmth and authenticity to our sessions.

I love working with:

  • People of all ages, ranging from childhood to adulthood
  • Children whose teachers have described as “difficult”
  • Teenagers dealing with anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem
  • Parents and guardians who find themselves wondering why their children didn’t come with a manual
  • Couples looking for a Biblical approach to premarital or marital counseling

Some of my favorite approaches include:

I strive to use a collaborative approach, meaning I will meet you where you are. Within this approach, I enjoy using Cognitive Behavioral techniques (CBT) to help you identify ways you view yourself and the world around you. I also use a Solution-Focused approach, meaning I will work with you to figure out your strengths and how those can best be used to overcome the challenges you are facing. You’ll find that sometimes we just “talk it out”, and I’m no stranger to humor. We will laugh together! In my work with children, I use play therapy informed techniques and enjoy getting outside for sessions on a nice day.