JoAnn VanNess, LCSW

JoAnn VanNess is a licensed clinical social worker with 25 years of experience helping adults in Texas navigate stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma, bipolar disorder, and depression. She combines clinical training with a practical focus to support people facing complex emotional and behavioral challenges. As an LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker - she brings clinical expertise and a commitment to collaborative care.

Her clinical work integrates cognitive-behavioral strategies, trauma-informed care, and person-centered principles to create individualized treatment plans. She is trained in EMDR therapy, a trauma-focused technique used to work through unresolved distressing memories and lessen their emotional impact. These approaches are selected to fit each person’s goals and strengths rather than applied in a one-size-fits-all way.

JoAnn tailors treatment to the unique needs of each person, identifying patterns that may contribute to difficulty and teaching skills for emotional regulation and practical coping. She values honesty, accountability, and empowerment, and clients often describe her as direct yet warm. Together with clients she develops clear, attainable steps toward improved functioning and well-being.

JoAnn is available for remote sessions including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different schedules and preferences.

Evidence-Based Techniques and Flexible Online Care

JoAnn uses cognitive-behavioral strategies to help people identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop practical skills for managing anxiety, depression, and mood symptoms. These techniques focus on changing thoughts and behaviors that contribute to distress and teaching tools for everyday coping.

She is also trained in EMDR therapy, a trauma-focused approach that guides people through processing distressing memories and reducing their intensity. EMDR can be especially helpful for those dealing with post-traumatic stress and lingering traumatic responses.

JoAnn applies trauma-informed principles throughout treatment, ensuring that care respects each person’s history and emphasizes safety, choice, and empowerment. Finding the right therapeutic approach is a collaborative process - JoAnn works with clients to choose methods that match their needs, goals, and preferences and adjusts the plan as progress unfolds.

Online therapy with JoAnn is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for busy schedules and differing comfort levels. These options make it easier to access consistent care while maintaining treatment momentum from familiar surroundings.