ABOUT ME

BACKGROUND
Joanna Milkay graduated from the University of Montevallo in 2003 with a Master’s Degree in Education, focusing on Marriage and Family Counseling. She has been counseling children, adolescents, and adults since 2002. Initially, she worked in treatment and residential centers working with addictions and abuse. After her practicum and internship at The Bessemer Cut-Off Child Advocacy Center dba The Clay House, she was given an opportunity to continue her work in advocating for children that were victims of physical and sexual abuse. She became their Clinical Director and provide services in supervision, counseling, forensic interviews, court testimony, and collaboration with agencies in advocating for victims. During her 11 years of employment with the Clay House, she assisted in forensic interview training with The National Child Advocacy Center in Huntsville, AL. Working with the Quality Assurance Committee for The Department of Human Resources; she assisted in review and support of services to children and their family.
CURRENTLY
She started her private practice in 2015 and has focused on treating trauma, anxiety, stress, depression, and marriage and family issues. She trained in a one-year learning collaborative to treat trauma using Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She is Level 1 and Level 2 trained in the use of EMDR.  EMDR was added and has been life altering for many clients for treating PTSD and anxiety. She continues to train and learn more as EMDR continues to evolve. She is a member of EMDR International Association. Focusing on couples, she is trained in the Gottman Method. Her approach with counseling is an integration of all these interventions and methods.
She is a member of the Alabama Counseling Association and American Counseling Association.  She provides supervision of Associate Licensed Counselors that are working toward licensure. Personally, she is married and has one daughter. Joanna enjoys painting, sewing, reading, and time with friends and family. Her happy places are attending musicals and embracing the love of animals, especially her dogs.