Johanna Westin

Compassionate LCSW guiding practical healing

LCSW Illinois

Experience: 15 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Johanna

Johanna Westin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 15 years of clinical experience supporting people through trauma, stress, anxiety, and life transitions. She has worked across inpatient and outpatient settings delivering individual, family, and group therapy, and brings that breadth of experience to each client interaction.

Background and approach

Johanna emphasizes practical, evidence-informed interventions while honoring each person's unique story. Her style is approachable and grounded; she prioritizes building a trusting therapeutic relationship as the basis for meaningful change.

Johanna uses methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), DBT skills, EMDR when appropriate, and mindfulness techniques to address symptoms and teach coping strategies. She focuses on concerns including grief, depression, parenting challenges, compassion fatigue, communication and blended family issues, and recovery from sexual assault and abuse.

Johanna starts from where clients are, collaborates on clear goals, and supports them in progressing at a manageable pace.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

Johanna draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, using structured techniques to reduce anxiety, manage mood, and build coping skills. Client-Centered Therapy informs her emphasis on empathy and collaboration, creating a respectful space where clients' priorities guide the work and goals are developed together. She also integrates elements of DBT when emotional regulation, distress tolerance, or interpersonal effectiveness are central concerns, teaching concrete skills to manage intense feelings.

Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative process. Johanna partners with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adapts the plan over time based on what proves most helpful in session. This shared decision-making helps clients feel involved and supported as they try different strategies.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexible ways to access therapy around work, family, and life obligations. These options make it possible to continue consistent therapeutic work from home or another convenient location while maintaining regular appointments and practicing skills between sessions.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Johanna address?

She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, anger, self-esteem, depression, grief, parenting and career issues, as well as related problems like panic, post-traumatic stress, guilt, and shame.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

The approach is down-to-earth and client-centered, emphasizing a collaborative relationship and practical skills from methods such as CBT, DBT, EMDR, and mindfulness.

What is her professional background and experience?

Johanna has 15 years of experience working in both inpatient and outpatient settings and has provided individual, family, and group therapy.

What credentials and location are on file?

She is licensed as an LCSW in Illinois with licence number IL LCSW 149.014262 and practices from that state.

Does she offer services in other languages or to international clients?

Sessions are provided in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.

Which session formats are available for online work?

Clients can connect by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging according to their needs and preferences.

How is pricing handled for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; services use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to begin therapy with her?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuseAnger managementSelf esteem Coping with life changes

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefParenting issuesCareer difficultiesDepression Compassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

Blended family issuesCommunication problemsFamily problemsGuilt and shame Panic disorder and panic attacks Post-traumatic stressSelf-loveSexual assault and abuse

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

15+ years

Licensed

Illinois

Languages

English