Joyce Sparks-Bell offers clients a collaborative space to feel heard, understood, and valued as part of their family system. Joyce believes that we are all first-time human beings and that navigating life can be tough. In therapy, she works with clients to figure out which road may be best for them in this chapter of life.

Joyce is a Master’s level counselor in Illinois who believes in bringing one’s whole self, including culture and life experiences, into the therapeutic space. She tailors her approach to the unique needs of each client, recognizing that everyone has a story to share, learn from, and grow from. Her counseling style is compassionate, collaborative, and centered on helping people access their own power to make positive changes.

Who I Work With

• Families seeking support with communication, conflict, connection, and feeling heard within the family system
• Couples who want guidance through roadblocks without blame or deciding who is right or wrong
• Individuals seeking a safe space to process, engage with, and navigate life’s challenges
• Children, teens, adults, and families across many walks of life
• Clients working through trauma, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, relationship stress, or family conflict

My Approach to Therapy

Joyce’s approach to therapy includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Therapy (PCT), and Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). She also has experience with play therapy, child-parent psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and family systems therapy.

In individual therapy, Joyce is humbled and honored to hear each client’s story and offer a safe space to process and navigate challenges. In couples therapy, her passion is not to tell one partner that they are right or wrong. Instead, she helps guide both people through the roadblocks that get in the way of being the best versions of themselves for the relationship. In family therapy, she understands that being on one accord can be challenging and works to help every person feel heard, understood, and valued.

Her person-centered approach helps clients feel respected and understood. CBT can support clients in identifying patterns in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. SFBT can help clients identify goals and focus on practical movement forward. Joyce adapts these approaches to the person, couple, or family in front of her.

What Clients Can Expect

Clients can expect Joyce to create a welcoming therapy space where their stories, cultures, relationships, and lived experiences matter. Sessions may involve processing difficult emotions, strengthening communication, identifying goals, building coping skills, or helping family members understand each other in new ways.

Joyce values collaboration and meaningful conversation. She supports clients as they explore where they are, what is getting in the way, and what changes may help them move toward healing, connection, and personal growth.

Areas of Focus

• Family therapy in Chicago
• Couples counseling
• Individual therapy
• Trauma counseling
• Grief and loss
• Depression and anxiety
• Family conflict and communication
• Children, teens, adults, and families
• Play therapy and child-parent psychotherapy
• CBT, PCT, SFBT, and family systems therapy

Background and Personal Details

Joyce earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2019. Her previous experience includes work in an agency for individuals with Autism, a child welfare agency, and hospitals.

In her free time, Joyce enjoys reading, listening to mystery podcasts, creating memories with her family, and indulging in caramel cheesecake or ice cream. She is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated, and she values the meaningful conversations that therapy can make possible. Joyce looks forward to collaborating with people as they clarify goals, understand their own power, and explore positive change.

Closing Invitation

To learn more about family therapy, couples counseling, or individual therapy with Joyce, reach out through Ace Counseling Group or schedule a session when you are ready.