About Vaughan Wellness PLLC

Joanna Vaughan, LPC Associate supervised by Laura McKee, LPC-S

There are numerous types of therapy and therapists out there, so my goal with this website is to provide you with enough information about myself and my approach to counseling for you to make an informed decision about your mental health needs.

Christian Perspective, Professional Standards...

I am a professional licensed counselor with a Christian perspective, meaning that as a believer, I operate from a Christian and biblical worldview but also maintain professional standards and ethics. My primary mission is to demonstrate the love of Christ through the mental health services that I provide. I think it’s important for clients to feel comfortable with the person they are trusting to provide emotional support, sound information, and quality counsel. I have a diverse occupational history that reflects my interests and desire to use all of my gifts and passions to help others in a more comprehensive way which is what led me to this work, realizing that spiritual health and mental health are closely linked. 

Holistic Christian Counseling

Holistic refers to my approach which could be described as eclectic, big picture, or comprehensive. Oftentimes, when we are struggling with our mental health, we can get hyper-focused on certain problems without recognizing the source or root of those problems. Most people recognize that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected and impact each other, BUT if you just focus on the superficial or obvious issue, you can miss the original source(s) of pain/discomfort. Think of how many fearful thoughts could branch off from or spring forth from one false belief or seed (for example, “My life has no purpose!”).

While one of my goals is helping provide immediate relief to clients in distress, I believe you’ll get more enduring results from discovering and addressing the root(s) of your problems. Thinking holistically means taking into account your spirit (your connection with God), your soul (personality including mind, will, & emotions), and your physical body. 

Therapy Tools

When it comes to therapeutic tools, I tailor sessions to the individual and choose methods based on what I think will best meet the client’s needs and then will modify my approach based on progress and feedback. With all clients, I tend to use person-centered talk therapy to help build a sense of healthy connection and self-awareness. I provide cognitive-behavioral psychoeducation (based on evidence-based research) as well as scriptural references (for Christian clientele) and other educational aides as needed. Depending on the client, I will also teach somatic exercises (involving the body) to help with relaxation, focus, pain/tension relief, & emotional regulation; include expressive arts (e.g. music, sculpting, drawing/painting, etc.); therapeutic play (e.g. using toys, games, sports, etc.); and ecotherapy (e.g. walk-and-talk sessions, outdoor sessions).

Personal Background

I grew up leading a very active lifestyle, playing soccer competitively all the way through college. Soccer was both a stressor and a therapeutic support to me while I struggled with my parents' divorce, low self-esteem, performance anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, and symptoms of ADHD (like restlessness & rejection-sensitive dysphoria). In my collegiate career, I also suffered serious physical injuries and subsequent rehabilitation. My own experiences of mental/emotional distress and physical pain combined with my avoidance of unhealthy coping led to a growing interest in holistic health and treatment methods. 

Influential academic and occupational experiences:​

• Coaching soccer & agility skills to children from age 3 to 16

• Mentoring elementary aged children through teaching literary skills (reading & writing)

• Tutoring college students in English and Spanish

• Working in medical billing department of large cardiology practice

• Interning in physical therapy at outpatient hospital in Shreveport, LA

• Working as Licensed Massage Therapist for 15 years (TX & CO) in a variety of settings including sports clinics, chiropractic offices and wellness centers

• Working as a neonatal/postpartum and mental health nurse (RN,BSN) in hospital settings

• Working as a mental health counselor providing therapy for individuals, groups, and families in nonprofit, outpatient, and private practice settings

  • Working with ages 4 to 65​

• Providing trauma-focused therapy & case management for abused children and their families

• Teaching special needs preschoolers as a long-term substitute; working one-on-one with non-speaking autistic (ASD) students