Joy Gillespie, MSW, LCSW

Phone: (636) 466-1994

Email: jgillespietherapy@gmail.com

Missouri License #2013037931

Arkansas License #12663-C

Telehealth throughout MO & AR

Hours: Monday–Friday, 9am–4pm

My clients describe me as someone they feel safe and comfortable with, someone they feel they can trust, and someone that genuinely cares for them. I am a Certified EMDR Therapist with over 15 years of experience helping anxious adults regain control and create lasting change. I specialize in working with perfectionists, high-achievers, and people-pleasers — including professionals with high-functioning anxiety — who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or never good enough despite their accomplishments. My clients often describe the same pattern: successful on the outside, exhausted on the inside.

Do you feel worried and anxious most of the time, even when things look fine on the outside? Do "what if" thoughts spin in your head, or do you put others first while running on empty yourself? I help anxious, high-achieving adults quiet the "what if" spiral, drop impossible standards, and stop abandoning themselves to keep everyone else happy.

My specialty areas include anxiety disorders (including high-functioning anxiety), trauma/PTSD, OCD, and perfectionism — including the self-doubt and insecurity that so often come with them.

One thing I value most is a strong therapeutic bond — so my top priority is providing a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental space for you to work through current struggles. But we won't just talk about your week session after session. Using evidence-based and cutting-edge psychotherapy modalities including EMDR, IFS, ERP, and CBT, we do active, collaborative work to uncover root causes and create lasting change — not just coping strategies. We'll set clear goals together and check progress along the way. You are not alone in this; I am in this with you!

If you're tired of running on empty, book a FREE 30-min consultation with me to find out how I can help you.

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), State of Missouri #2013037931
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), State of Arkansas #12663-C
• Certified EMDR Therapist, EMDR International Association

• Master of Social Work (MSW), Washington University in St. Louis

• High-functioning anxiety (professionals, entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, etc.)
• Trauma and PTSD
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Perfectionism, self-doubt & people-pleasing
• Imposter Syndrome
• Codependency
• Work & Life balance and burnout
• Low self-esteem
• Panic disorder & phobias
• Relationship conflicts

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) — Certified
• Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy
• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Private pay only — superbills provided for potential insurance reimbursement.

Visa, Mastercard, HSA, FSA

I offer a FREE 30-minute video consultation to see if we're a good fit.

Q: Do you offer in-person therapy sessions?
A: No, my practice is entirely virtual, so you can meet from anywhere in Missouri or Arkansas, from the comfort of your own space.

Q: Does online therapy actually work?
A: Yes. Research consistently shows online therapy with a qualified professional is just as effective as in-person therapy for many conditions, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. It isn't the right fit for every situation, though — crises or certain complex presentations may need in-person or urgent care.

Q: How is your approach different from traditional talk therapy?
A: Instead of just discussing what's happening week to week, I use structured, evidence-based methods — EMDR, IFS, ERP, and CBT — to address the root causes driving your symptoms, so change actually lasts.

Q: What happens in the free consultation?
A: A relaxed 30-minute conversation about what you're looking for, what working with me looks like and how I can help you, and whether we're a good fit. If we are, an initial evaluation session is scheduled to establish care. If not, I will provide you with referrals so that your needs are met.