Joel Kirchstein, LPC

Joel Kirchstein is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Wisconsin with four years of clinical experience. He earned undergraduate degrees from Liberty University in Religion and Psychology, the latter with a specialty in Christian Counseling and Life Coaching. He continued his training with two master of arts degrees - one in Professional Counseling and one in Human Resource Counseling - and has completed multiple certificates through the American Association of Christian Counselors, including courses on parenting, caregiving, healthy sexuality, freedom from destructive patterns, and marriage skills. Joel is also pursuing a doctoral degree in Christian Education and Research.

Joel works with adults facing stress and anxiety, relationship and intimacy challenges, and the many demands that accompany life changes. His practice also addresses family dynamics, grief, parenting and fatherhood issues, anger and impulsivity, self-esteem and body image concerns, career and purpose questions, compassion fatigue, and issues that can arise in blended families or following separation and infidelity. He has experience supporting people dealing with abandonment, autism and Asperger syndrome, caregiver stress, communication and control difficulties, and the emotional aftermath of divorce.

Rooted in a strengths-based outlook, Joel approaches therapy with the belief that each person is the expert of their own story and carries resources to support meaningful change. He combines client-centered listening with practical strategies drawn from evidence-informed approaches to help clients set goals, build coping skills, and move toward a more fulfilling life while offering steady professional support throughout the process.

Approaches That Guide Online Therapy

Joel integrates client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and narrative therapy to support clients in an online setting. Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathic listening and collaboration - the therapist provides a supportive presence and helps clients explore their values and strengths to find their own solutions. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and offers practical, skills-based strategies for managing anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship patterns. Narrative therapy helps people reframe and reinterpret the stories they tell about themselves and their relationships, which can be especially useful for addressing identity, grief, and life transitions.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Joel works collaboratively with each person to identify methods that fit their goals, preferences, and life circumstances. He tailors sessions so that the approach evolves as progress is made.

Online therapy with Joel is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it possible to access consistent support from a licensed professional without rearranging major parts of daily life, helping clients maintain momentum between sessions and use tools in real-time when challenges arise.