Noreen Joyce

Aloha! I am Noreen Joyce, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have been working with people for many years to help them live their best life with certainty and peace. I was classically trained in psychodynamic psychotherapy. Through the years, I have learned and utilized many effective therapeutic approaches that we will discuss together to choose the best approach for you to achieve your therapy goals. I work with mood disorders, the seriously mentally ill, adults wishing to determine their occupational goals or transition to a second career during the middle years, people grieving and especially parents who have experienced the death of a child, trauma, personality disorders, and people experiencing a difficult change in their lives. This provider resides in Hawaii.

My approach

As a therapist trained in classical psychodynamic theory, I focus on the personality and relationship development we experience in our family of origin and then carry over into our adult lives. But through many years of experience as a psychotherapist, I believe the most effective therapeutic tool that promotes health and growth is the quality of the relationship between client and therapist. I will work very hard to understand your worldview and uniqueness as a human being. My strongest therapeutic ability is to have empathy for you, your life, and your concerns. My greatest role model in this work is Dr. Irv Yalom.

My focus

With the decades of experience I have, I have worked with most issues and people who access psychotherapy. I am particularly adept at working with adults with mood disorders, personality disorders especially Borderline Personality Disorder, and bereaved parents (who need special care after this loss. As a bereaved parent myself, I know how to help parents navigate this very painful tragedy.) I also work with couples who want to improve their relationship. As a therapist in Hawaii for more than 30 years, I have a keen appreciation of cultural determinants of personality development and approach to life. I respect the many diverse cultures in Hawaii and remain curious and open to learning more!

My communication style

My clients point to my sense of humor as the thing they most appreciate about working with me. I work to establish a collaborative relationship with my client. I am quite interactive in our sessions while being as attentive and aware of the needs of my client.

My journey to mental healthcare

In adolescence, I experience severe depression. A wonderful, caring therapist worked with me to change my life. I was so taken by the miracle of therapy that I decided very early on to make this my life's work, and it was the best decision of my life! Through the years, I have worked with well over a thousand people; I remember each person I have worked with because as I have helped them transform, they have transformed my life equally. Each person that has come into my life and practice has been a gift!

My goals for you

I listen carefully to what my clients want to achieve and develop a treatment plan that will effectively bring about the desired results.

My first session with you

The first session requires a good deal of questions to explore the reasons the client is seeking therapy and to determine what is the best course of therapeutic action. However, as important as this is, it is also very important for the client to feel comfortable with the therapist. I expect that my client will be checking out their comfort level with me. I encourage my client to express any concerns to me and to feel free to ask me questions to help determine if the client feels they feel heard and understood by me.