Joann Adney, therapist, in her Livingston office
When Joann Adney talks about her work her face lights up with passion. She is the newest therapist on our Livingston team. Joann is a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in play therapy. She describes her approaches a strengths based and at times out of the box. Joann has written therapeutic books with her clients and used play, art and movement therapy when needed.
She got her start working with children as a dance teacher but went back to school after have three children. At first she wanted to be a pediatrician but could not get daycare for her children during the night classes and labs necessary for her the degree. She took a psychology course and was going to get a masters in psychology when a professor encouraged her to go into to social work. Joann received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from South Dakota State University and went on to earn a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of North Dakota.
Joann does not describe herself as being from anywhere, having lived everywhere from Japan to Alaska to Minnesota. Not being from Montana is a strength in her work because she does not know all of the gossip that sometimes crops up in small towns. She says,” I want people to know that they can walk through the door… and it is a non-threatening environment.”
She brings twenty-one years of experience to the therapist position with the Youth Dynamics team in Livingston. Joann has worked in hospital settings, residential settings, school settings, and private non-profit settings. She has done extensive work with both adults and children and has been involved with domestic violence advocacy. She is excited to be part of the wraparound approach for families who come to Youth Dynamics.
“It is hard to be a human these days, ” she concludes thoughtfully.
