Jo Bruns, LPC

Therapy isn't just about identifying what’s wrong with you—it’s about understanding what happened to you so you can move forward with clarity and purpose. If you are ready to break free from the status quo, step away from a victim mindset, and become an overcomer in your own life, you are in the right place. I provide a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental space where your story is validated, your voice is heard, and real healing can begin.

What I Offer

I partner with you to navigate life’s deepest challenges by offering:

• Unconditional Positive Regard: A secure, supportive space where you are fully accepted, acknowledged, and heard.
• Psychoeducation: Clear, actionable insights into how trauma, mental health, and family dynamics impact your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
• Practical Coping & Life Skills: Proven tools to help you manage distress, build emotional resilience, and make healthier life choices.
• Empowerment & Advocacy: Guidance on setting and maintaining firm boundaries and mastering communication skills so you can confidently stand up for yourself.

Why Choose Jo

Healing requires more than standard, superficial solutions—it requires getting to the root of your patterns. My approach combines deep empathy with evidence-based insight. Through Schema Therapy, I help you identify and dismantle deep-seated "life traps"—unhelpful emotional and behavioral patterns rooted in past experiences. By understanding these core mechanisms, we work together to shift your story, break toxic cycles, and transform how you relate to yourself and others.

Client Focus

I specialize in supporting individuals who are ready to transform their lives, including those who:

• Are overcoming childhood trauma, dysfunctional family environments, or unresolved grief and loss.
• Are navigating addiction, alcohol use, chronic relapse, or living with/loving a family member with addiction or severe mental illness.
• Face complex mental health challenges, such as dual diagnosis, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, or trauma.
• Want to rebuild self-esteem, heal codependency, navigate major life transitions, or recover from abusive relationships.

Therapeutic Modalities I Use

I draw from an integrative, evidence-based toolkit tailored to your unique needs:

• Schema Therapy (to heal deep-seated core patterns and life traps)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Person-Centered & Narrative Therapy
• Trauma-Focused & Attachment-Based Therapy
• Motivational Interviewing
• Family Systems & Family/Marital Therapy
• Adlerian, Compassion-Focused, & Multicultural Approaches
• Christian Counseling & Faith-Based Modalities (available upon request)

Areas of Specialty & Support

• Mental Health & Trauma: Anxiety, Depression, PTSD/Trauma, Bipolar Disorder, BPD, OCD, Dual Diagnosis, Mood Disorders, Suicidal Ideation, Self-Harming.
• Addiction & Recovery: Alcohol Use, Substance Use, Gambling, Chronic Relapse, Codependency.
• Relationships & Family: Family Conflict, Marital/Premarital, Divorce, Domestic Abuse, Parenting, Caregivers, Relational Issues.
• Identity & Life Transitions: Grief & Loss, Life Transitions, Women’s Issues, LGBTQ+, Spirituality, Spiritual Abuse, Body Positivity, Self-Esteem, Stress Management.
• Health & Wellness: Chronic Illness, Chronic Pain, Dementia Support, Eating Disorders, Infertility, Pregnancy/Prenatal/Postpartum, Geriatric Support, First Responders.

What Clients Say

"Working with Jo helped me realize that I am not defined by what happened in my past. For the first time, I felt genuinely heard without judgment. Learning about my life traps was an eye-opener—I finally have the boundaries and confidence I needed to advocate for myself."

Ready to Start?

You don't have to stay stuck in old patterns or feel defined by past pain. Take the next step toward the life and relationships you deserve. Reach out today, and let's work together to bring about the meaningful change you want for your life.