About

Hello,

My name is Joel Downs. I graduated with a Master’s in Rehabilitation from Utah State University in 2015. I took additional classes so I could do clinical work and am currently licensed as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor in the state of Utah. I currently work as a substance abuse/mental health therapist at one of the state's health departments. I have 5 years of experience of helping clients work through and better manage a variety of disorders and problems such as: addictions, co-dependency, anxiety, depression, PTSD, relationship issues, sexual abuse, anger, self-esteem and family issues.

I also have around 10 years of personal experience dealing with someone close to me that has a substance use disorder. Some may not count that as valid experience that you could put down on something like this but I beg to differ. My clients and clients that I’ve taught in various groups have appreciated hearing my experiences and viewpoints as others and I have tried to help this individual get their life back on track. Clients have told me that they feel like they can open up to me more, relate to me more, and learn from me more than other counselors they've had in large part due to my personal experience but the other part that is just as important is my treatment approach.

I have seen what works for this person along with what doesn’t work. I know that I can’t base my treatment approach solely on my personal experience or even my educational experience. This is due to the fact that I know that one theory or approach that works for some will not work for everyone. However, I have learned what does seem to work for everyone and that is being treated like an individual that has worth and value which is very empowering to a client. I realize that people know themselves better than any other person or any theoretical book for that matter. That’s why with my approach I'm able to help my clients discover who they really are, who they want to be, and can be. Then I focus on empowering them to do what it takes to live and act on their values.

By using Person Centered Approach, ACT Therapy, and Solution-Focused Counseling I believe it has produced the greatest results in helping my clients move closer to the life that they want to be living. These types of counseling theories have helped my clients feel comfortable with therapy, focus on solutions rather than problems, and have taught them how to raise their level of psychological flexibility. My biggest aim for most of my clients is helping them gain greater psychological flexibility which is the ability to adapt to a situation with awareness, openness, and focus and to take effective action, guided by their values!

I know that if many of my clients that have come in to see me for a variety of problems and have learned to cope with their “negative” thoughts, feelings, and emotions in healthy ways without using and engaging in other harmful behaviors then you can too!