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Joy Faith Wellness

Come home to yourself...

Somatic psychotherapy & embodied coaching for sensitive adults who are tired of abandoning themselves.

Together, we slow down. We listen to your body.
We make space for what's been pushed aside.

So you can live with more self-trust, honestly, and ease.

Meet Joy

PhD Human Development

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Licensed Creative Arts Therapist

Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor

Board-Certified Dance/Movement Therapist

Ordained Interfaith Minister

Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher

Testimonials

Friday Morning Reflective Group

An 8-week online support group for slowing down, turning inward, and making space for your own experience through writing, art making, gentle movement, body awareness, and rest.

Fridays, 11:00–12:30 ET
September 25–November 20
(no group October 16)
Online via Zoom
$480 for the full series

Friday Morning Reflective Group

An 8-week online support group for slowing down, turning inward, and making space for your own experience through writing, art making, gentle movement, body awareness, and rest.

Fridays, 11:00–12:30 ET
September 25–November 20
(no group October 16)
Online via Zoom
$480 for the full series

This summer I had an epiphany:

I’m not bad at relationships.

Actually, I’m pretty good at them.

Relationships often feel really hard to me. I’m not always good at asking for help or showing vulnerability. I’m working on that.

But I care. I love deeply. I’m honest. I ask for what I need. I consider other people. I know my feelings. I’m present. I’m accountable.

And maybe most importantly, I’m learning that I don’t hurt people just by existing. My existence isn’t offensive. The fact that I have needs isn’t offensive or hurtful.

I realized some of this on an Authentic Movement retreat this summer. I was moving with people I’ve known and practiced with for years, and I became aware of how attuned I felt to myself and to them. I could be close when I wanted closeness. I could take space when I wanted space. I could be sensitive to another person and sensitive to myself at the same time.

And this time, I didn’t judge myself for any of it.

I’ve also been thinking about how differently things move through me when I’m alone versus when I’m with another attuned person.

Alone, I can use nature, expressive arts, movement, writing—all kinds of things—to be with my feelings. Something can become more orderly, manageable, even peaceful.

But when I process something alongside someone who is present and accepting, something different can happen.

It’s like I take the elevator to a whole new floor.

The thing itself changes. It doesn’t live inside me in quite the same way anymore. Sometimes a feeling or belief that has been unconsciously shaping how I respond to the world actually transforms.

My lived experience changes.

Healing happens in relationship.

In my own life, SomaSoul® Somatic Therapy and the Discipline of Authentic Movement have provided these kinds of relational spaces for me to heal and grow.

And I love providing them for others.

This summer I had an epiphany:

I’m not bad at relationships.

Actually, I’m pretty good at them.

Relationships often feel really hard to me. I’m not always good at asking for help or showing vulnerability. I’m working on that.

But I care. I love deeply. I’m honest. I ask for what I need. I consider other people. I know my feelings. I’m present. I’m accountable.

And maybe most importantly, I’m learning that I don’t hurt people just by existing. My existence isn’t offensive. The fact that I have needs isn’t offensive or hurtful.

I realized some of this on an Authentic Movement retreat this summer. I was moving with people I’ve known and practiced with for years, and I became aware of how attuned I felt to myself and to them. I could be close when I wanted closeness. I could take space when I wanted space. I could be sensitive to another person and sensitive to myself at the same time.

And this time, I didn’t judge myself for any of it.

I’ve also been thinking about how differently things move through me when I’m alone versus when I’m with another attuned person.

Alone, I can use nature, expressive arts, movement, writing—all kinds of things—to be with my feelings. Something can become more orderly, manageable, even peaceful.

But when I process something alongside someone who is present and accepting, something different can happen.

It’s like I take the elevator to a whole new floor.

The thing itself changes. It doesn’t live inside me in quite the same way anymore. Sometimes a feeling or belief that has been unconsciously shaping how I respond to the world actually transforms.

My lived experience changes.

Healing happens in relationship.

In my own life, SomaSoul® Somatic Therapy and the Discipline of Authentic Movement have provided these kinds of relational spaces for me to heal and grow.

And I love providing them for others.

Things I noticed…

Things I noticed…

The thing about emotions is it’s really hard to shut them up- consciously deny they exist or matter. I guess we can try. But the tension in the throat- the pit in the stomach- the fluttering heart, they happen anyway.

I might choose to feel less if I could- to be more defended from the world. I might choose to not wake up and cry because I feel grief over missing a person or place. I might choose to not forget everything else in my life exists because I’m captivated by the beauty of a butterfly or a tree. I might choose to take the blue pill. But it doesn’t work that way for me.

When the emotions come, I’ve learned to be their vessel, their channel, because that seems to work the best.

That’s what I do in my work. I help other sensitive people learn to channel and transmute their feelings. When shutting down only made you feel smaller, when overthinking only made you feel more confused, there is this other route. Embodied presence and expressive creativity finally led to some sense of wholeness.

The thing about emotions is it’s really hard to shut them up- consciously deny they exist or matter. I guess we can try. But the tension in the throat- the pit in the stomach- the fluttering heart, they happen anyway.

I might choose to feel less if I could- to be more defended from the world. I might choose to not wake up and cry because I feel grief over missing a person or place. I might choose to not forget everything else in my life exists because I’m captivated by the beauty of a butterfly or a tree. I might choose to take the blue pill. But it doesn’t work that way for me.

When the emotions come, I’ve learned to be their vessel, their channel, because that seems to work the best.

That’s what I do in my work. I help other sensitive people learn to channel and transmute their feelings. When shutting down only made you feel smaller, when overthinking only made you feel more confused, there is this other route. Embodied presence and expressive creativity finally led to some sense of wholeness.

I am undeniably sensitive and so art and beauty impact me in a delicious way. Dance taught me how to embody emotion. Art taught me about transforming energy. Music taught me it could hold my emotions. Some little kids had imaginary friends. In a way, if I had imaginary friends, they would be the arts. And since I’m so sensitive, I feel so deeply. Beauty and art are what make a difficult world worth it. Art is evidence of human capacity to be resilient – to be genius – to be reverent. I feel, when I’m in contact with beauty and art, that I’m in contact with God.

I am undeniably sensitive and so art and beauty impact me in a delicious way. Dance taught me how to embody emotion. Art taught me about transforming energy. Music taught me it could hold my emotions. Some little kids had imaginary friends. In a way, if I had imaginary friends, they would be the arts. And since I’m so sensitive, I feel so deeply. Beauty and art are what make a difficult world worth it. Art is evidence of human capacity to be resilient – to be genius – to be reverent. I feel, when I’m in contact with beauty and art, that I’m in contact with God.

I’ve been wanting more intentional moments to slow down in my own life. There’s this precious state I can access more easily when reflection is my main priority. Suddenly, I have space for myself. My energy returns to me. Things I’ve been worried about don’t seem quite so important. There’s more clarity in my mind and groundedness in my body.

This is what I’m making space for. Would you like to join me?

I’ve been wanting more intentional moments to slow down in my own life. There’s this precious state I can access more easily when reflection is my main priority. Suddenly, I have space for myself. My energy returns to me. Things I’ve been worried about don’t seem quite so important. There’s more clarity in my mind and groundedness in my body.

This is what I’m making space for. Would you like to join me?

I woke up this morning wanting to go somewhere.

The beach. The woods. Somewhere I could get away from myself long enough to be with myself.

But instead of getting in the car, I slowed down. I wandered into the backyard without much of a plan and found this little place to sit.

And I realized I had been trying to find somewhere to be with myself when apparently I could be with myself right here.

I keep thinking about the difference between pushing toward what I think I need and becoming curious enough to receive what is already embracing me.

Sometimes what I need isn’t what I choose.

Sometimes I find the nook.

I woke up this morning wanting to go somewhere.

The beach. The woods. Somewhere I could get away from myself long enough to be with myself.

But instead of getting in the car, I slowed down. I wandered into the backyard without much of a plan and found this little place to sit.

And I realized I had been trying to find somewhere to be with myself when apparently I could be with myself right here.

I keep thinking about the difference between pushing toward what I think I need and becoming curious enough to receive what is already embracing me.

Sometimes what I need isn’t what I choose.

Sometimes I find the nook.

Words are never enough for the whole human being.

We are verbal and nonverbal beings. We make meaning through movement, image, sensation, sound, relationship, and language.

It’s biology.

That’s why I’ve never thought of expressive arts therapies as what we turn to when words aren’t enough.

They’re not the backup plan.

Words are never enough for the whole human being.

We are verbal and nonverbal beings. We make meaning through movement, image, sensation, sound, relationship, and language.

It’s biology.

That’s why I’ve never thought of expressive arts therapies as what we turn to when words aren’t enough.

They’re not the backup plan.

Preparing for session.

Preparing for session.

My bound PhD dissertation came in the mail today.

My bound PhD dissertation came in the mail today.

Creativity brings me back to myself—to a truth that exists across time and space. My body knows movement, sound and color as its earliest languages. Pierced by the beauty of human expression, I come alive. Thank you to all the artists.

Creativity brings me back to myself—to a truth that exists across time and space. My body knows movement, sound and color as its earliest languages. Pierced by the beauty of human expression, I come alive. Thank you to all the artists.

It’s not the final product. It’s not the moment of grand celebration. It’s everything before and after that.

It’s sitting in a farmhouse coffee shop for hours obsessing over an eighth of an inch of spacing.

It’s just showing up for something again and again.

It’s holding the balance of good enough and not quite there yet.

Trying is doing. It just doesn’t feel glamorous.

The work of becoming is work.

It’s not the final product. It’s not the moment of grand celebration. It’s everything before and after that.

It’s sitting in a farmhouse coffee shop for hours obsessing over an eighth of an inch of spacing.

It’s just showing up for something again and again.

It’s holding the balance of good enough and not quite there yet.

Trying is doing. It just doesn’t feel glamorous.

The work of becoming is work.

Retreat begins

Retreat begins

Lots of my clients struggle with relationships.

What I’ve learned about relationships is that we need to show up for them as ourselves.

My doctoral research affirmed something I’ve been learning for years: when we have space to become more fully ourselves, and practice providing that same space for others, our relationships become deeper and stronger.

We don’t build healthy relationships by avoiding conflict or trying to control an outcome.

We build them by practicing becoming more fully ourselves—which is vulnerable and scary—and by practicing allowing other people to become more fully themselves.

It takes courage to let go of control and practice presence with what’s true.

Lots of my clients struggle with relationships.

What I’ve learned about relationships is that we need to show up for them as ourselves.

My doctoral research affirmed something I’ve been learning for years: when we have space to become more fully ourselves, and practice providing that same space for others, our relationships become deeper and stronger.

We don’t build healthy relationships by avoiding conflict or trying to control an outcome.

We build them by practicing becoming more fully ourselves—which is vulnerable and scary—and by practicing allowing other people to become more fully themselves.

It takes courage to let go of control and practice presence with what’s true.

Trust the process.

Trust the process.

Myself- equally the most terrifying and comforting place I return to.

Myself- equally the most terrifying and comforting place I return to.

Sometimes the work just looks like slowing down enough to come back to self.

Sometimes the work just looks like slowing down enough to come back to self.

One of my favorite things about this work is watching people step into the reality they yearned for, but didn’t believe possible.

Creating the loving relationship they dreamed of, reconnecting with their vitality, wanting to live after years of suicidality, moving from isolation to belonging, moving from self-hatred to self-love, or learning to say “no” so their life becomes more their own.

One of my favorite things about this work is watching people step into the reality they yearned for, but didn’t believe possible.

Creating the loving relationship they dreamed of, reconnecting with their vitality, wanting to live after years of suicidality, moving from isolation to belonging, moving from self-hatred to self-love, or learning to say “no” so their life becomes more their own.

we picked lavender, rose, chamomile- herbs for resting

took home strawberry jam

made rose glycerite

“We all need sweetness,” she said

slowing down

dirt under my nails

roadside farm strawberries

and

above all

space

we picked lavender, rose, chamomile- herbs for resting

took home strawberry jam

made rose glycerite

“We all need sweetness,” she said

slowing down

dirt under my nails

roadside farm strawberries

and

above all

space

Thought I needed to stay home and get ready.
Turns out I needed an hour by the lake.

Thought I needed to stay home and get ready.
Turns out I needed an hour by the lake.

beauty

beauty

Lately I’ve been realizing that a lot of what I do is accompany people through thresholds while helping them stay close to themselves.

Not by becoming who they think they should be.

Not by overriding the body.

Not by abandoning the parts of themselves that no longer fit.

More like learning how to stay connected to who you are while life changes in ways you never expected.

Lately I’ve been realizing that a lot of what I do is accompany people through thresholds while helping them stay close to themselves.

Not by becoming who they think they should be.

Not by overriding the body.

Not by abandoning the parts of themselves that no longer fit.

More like learning how to stay connected to who you are while life changes in ways you never expected.

Slow steps
Choosing the flattest rocks
to catch my tender flesh
Cold and happy feet
Careful but wild
And the woods understand
And here
I belong

Slow steps
Choosing the flattest rocks
to catch my tender flesh
Cold and happy feet
Careful but wild
And the woods understand
And here
I belong

Recently a client signed up to be in a play again after 15 years. They had lost touch with their passion for theater.

Another client, who was upset that she couldn’t get herself to paint, painted with me. She looked at me and said, “I’m so proud of myself that I’m painting.”

Sometimes healing looks less like becoming someone new and more like being able to return to the parts of ourselves that were waiting for us all along.

#expressiveartstherapy
#somatichealing
#passion
#returntoself
#naturalhealing

Recently a client signed up to be in a play again after 15 years. They had lost touch with their passion for theater.

Another client, who was upset that she couldn’t get herself to paint, painted with me. She looked at me and said, “I’m so proud of myself that I’m painting.”

Sometimes healing looks less like becoming someone new and more like being able to return to the parts of ourselves that were waiting for us all along.

#expressiveartstherapy
#somatichealing
#passion
#returntoself
#naturalhealing

The Depressed Girl’s Bookclub

I recently realized that most of the books I read when I was 14 dealt with adult themes like addiction, suicide, sex, obsession, madness, and longing.

I laughed and thought that it could have been called The Depressed Girl’s Bookclub, but I was the only one reading the books.

I was drawn to the human psyche very young. I am not afraid of my own depths and I’m not afraid of yours.

My clients come to me because they know they need to go deep within themselves, but it’s scary to go alone. I love going there with them. Like a sherpa.

Pink’s lyrics might be true…

“I’ve ALREADY seen the bottom, so there’s nothing to fear. I know that I’ll be ready when the devil is near.”

The worst of it already happened. You survived that. There’s an art and a skill in journeying to and from those depths. And in that journey, transformation takes place.

Have you read any of these books?

The Depressed Girl’s Bookclub

I recently realized that most of the books I read when I was 14 dealt with adult themes like addiction, suicide, sex, obsession, madness, and longing.

I laughed and thought that it could have been called The Depressed Girl’s Bookclub, but I was the only one reading the books.

I was drawn to the human psyche very young. I am not afraid of my own depths and I’m not afraid of yours.

My clients come to me because they know they need to go deep within themselves, but it’s scary to go alone. I love going there with them. Like a sherpa.

Pink’s lyrics might be true…

“I’ve ALREADY seen the bottom, so there’s nothing to fear. I know that I’ll be ready when the devil is near.”

The worst of it already happened. You survived that. There’s an art and a skill in journeying to and from those depths. And in that journey, transformation takes place.

Have you read any of these books?

It’s pretty radical to be able to stay with your own experience, especially if you weren’t raised that way or if survival meant abandoning your inner reality.

It’s radical- to just feel and let yourself exist as you are in the moment. Not to perform a certain mood or suppress what’s living inside. Not to run away from it with numbing. But to be able to just be in the moment – present, alive, feeling, messy, and whole.

#embodiment
#authenticity
#thresholds
#nervoussystem
#becoming

It’s pretty radical to be able to stay with your own experience, especially if you weren’t raised that way or if survival meant abandoning your inner reality.

It’s radical- to just feel and let yourself exist as you are in the moment. Not to perform a certain mood or suppress what’s living inside. Not to run away from it with numbing. But to be able to just be in the moment – present, alive, feeling, messy, and whole.

#embodiment
#authenticity
#thresholds
#nervoussystem
#becoming

The garden- wild, yearning to grow, striving.

Me- seeking to control, assert my vision, also wild, yearning, and striving.

Learning to slow down. Pull out the garlic mustard- and what to do with the debris? And the grief? And knowing more will grow anyway?

Can I let my vision be informed by reality- without seeing it as defeat or failure?

Honestly, though invasive, it was prettier with the garlic mustard.

This theme of balance through surrender and assertion- current reality versus future possibilities.

Walking a beam or balancing scales is so much easier. But when balance is largely intuitive- not so obvious.

This is my work in the garden, in my own life, and with my clients. What is the journey of seeking balance when balance is abstract? What kind of presence is needed? How does relationship with self and the environment matter? And where do we put the garlic mustard?

The garden- wild, yearning to grow, striving.

Me- seeking to control, assert my vision, also wild, yearning, and striving.

Learning to slow down. Pull out the garlic mustard- and what to do with the debris? And the grief? And knowing more will grow anyway?

Can I let my vision be informed by reality- without seeing it as defeat or failure?

Honestly, though invasive, it was prettier with the garlic mustard.

This theme of balance through surrender and assertion- current reality versus future possibilities.

Walking a beam or balancing scales is so much easier. But when balance is largely intuitive- not so obvious.

This is my work in the garden, in my own life, and with my clients. What is the journey of seeking balance when balance is abstract? What kind of presence is needed? How does relationship with self and the environment matter? And where do we put the garlic mustard?

“I know the difference between my brain and my body now,” a client said from our work together.

That’s a profound shift.

“I know the difference between my brain and my body now,” a client said from our work together.

That’s a profound shift.

Some conversations happen better while walking.

Some conversations happen better while walking.

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Phone

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Email

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