Joanne E Carlson

Joanne E. Carlson, MSW, is a psychotherapist with over 40 years of experience working with adults and adolescents. She had a special interest in treating adolescents, working with them in a variety of professional settings since 1977. Joanne often worked closely with family law attorneys providing therapy (including court-ordered) for teenagers and families dealing with difficult divorces and stepfamily issues.Joanne graduated magna cum laude from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.A....See more

Joanne E. Carlson, MSW, is a psychotherapist with over 40 years of experience working with adults and adolescents. She had a special interest in treating adolescents, working with them in a variety of professional settings since 1977. Joanne often worked closely with family law attorneys providing therapy (including court-ordered) for teenagers and families dealing with difficult divorces and stepfamily issues.Joanne graduated magna cum laude from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in Psychology in 1976 and received her MSW from the University of Houston in 1980. Prior to starting her private practice in 1986, Joanne was a program director at an inpatient adolescent psychiatric hospital from 1980 to 1986. She was on the board of directors of the Houston Advocates for Mental Health in Children (now Child Advocates) from 1995 to 2000 and served as a consultant for the special education department of the Fort Bend Independent School District from 1991 to 1993. She has been a member of the National Association of Social Workers, Fort Bend Psychological Association, and the Houston Group Psychotherapy Society. Joanne is the author of The Parent Effect: How Parenting Style Affects Adolescent Behavior and Personality Development (2011, NASW Press). She was the founder of the Southwest Adolescent Treatment Alliance and spearheaded the 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 Adolescent Treatment Conferences held in Houston, Texas. Joanne was active in providing community and professional workshops on a variety of topics throughout her career.Joanne is now retired and living in Bend, Oregon with her husband of almost 40 years (plus a sweet dog and snarky cat). The couple have two adult children, a son, married and living in Portland and a special needs daughter who lives in Bend. The Carlsons are avid travelers (when feasible with the current situation). She currently volunteers at Healing Reins, an equine therapy program. Additionally, Joanne is actively involved in facilitating support groups for retired women. During the last year, she fulfilled her dream of writing a second book that allowed her to share her knowledge about the struggle adolescents face during family divorce and in their adjustment to parental remarriage. See less