Joy Makela
Joy Makela, LMHC-QS, LSP, LPC, NCC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Licensed School Psychologist
Licensed Professional Counselor
National Board Certified Counselor
“An extremely supportive, compassionate, bright counselor who is straight-forwardly clear and confident,” is how Joy’s patients describe her approach to counseling. Her collaborative style, psychoeducational training, multi-functional perspective, and developmental focus across the life span (ages 11 to 65+) are well suited for working with natural go-getters, high achieving professionals, ambitious students, top performing athletes, and action-oriented individuals that want to get stronger in their mental fitness.
Joy understands there are some issues that are a bit more unique and complex for people who are reaching for the most out of life such as juggling responsibilities, relationship challenges, performance anxiety, and sometimes feeling lonely at the top. Her experience as a Air Force spouse of a frequently deployed special operations pilot, Army mom, and Air Force daughter, provides her a strong understanding of challenges that come with military service and the sizable impact it has on all family members.
She received her Master of Arts in Psychology from the University of West Florida where she also served on faculty for several years before transitioning into private practice. In addition to counseling, Joy is a professional educator, public speaker, and an award-winning writer and photographer recognized by the Parenting Publications of America.
Joy is an active volunteer in the community serving on several educational and non-profit organization committees. She and her husband of 30+ years learned to love soccer, science, and cheering on the Florida Gators, SMU Mustangs, UT-Dallas Comets, Texas A&M Aggies, FIU Panthers, and the San Antonio Futbol Club while celebrating everyday life with their three great kids!
Patient Age Ranges: Older Adults (65+), Adults (20-64), Teens (14-19), and Pre-teens/Tweens (11-13)
