JoAnn Kukulus, LMFT

Get the Right Help to Feel Better – Call (650) 461-9026 or Text (650) 461-9026

JoAnn Kukulus, LMFT, Therapist at Palo Alto Therapy
Location: Palo Alto, Video Therapy

Ages: Adults (18+ years)
Teens (13-17 years)

Type of Therapy: Individual, Couples, Family, Teen Counseling
Experience: 6+ years

JoAnn Kukulus, LMFT

Cognitive Behavioral Therapist
#100682

JoAnn is a warm, compassionate, engaging, and dedicated therapist whose feelings of empathy are stirred by joys and triumphs as well as by difficulties and hardship. She works collaboratively with teens, adults, couples, families, and parents to develop strategies and skills to overcome a variety of challenges. JoAnn supports clients through a strengths-based approach that builds on their natural resources.

She is committed to practicing therapy techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and mindfulness to assist clients in achieving life-changing results. As a therapist, JoAnn focuses on assisting clients on their journey toward creating a balanced, rewarding, and fulfilling life.

JoAnn has experience working with teens, adults, couples, and families who struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use/abuse, self-harm, relationship issues, and stress. She has worked in community clinics, residential programs, school-based settings, providing therapy to individuals, families, parents, and groups.

JoAnn received her Bachelor’s degree in Developmental Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara; Special Education teaching credentials from San Francisco State University; Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology/ Marriage and Family Therapy from Notre Dame de Namur University. In her spare time she enjoys spending time cooking, reading, hiking, watching basketball, or listening to music with her husband and adult sons.

Concerns:

  • Addiction/Support for Partners
  • Anger
  • Anxiety
  • Bipolar
  • Cultural Problems/Diversity
  • Death, Grief, and Loss
  • Depression
  • Family Problems
  • LGBTQIA+, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
  • Life Transitions
  • OCD
  • Panic Attacks
  • Parenting and Discipline
  • Phobias
  • PTSD/Trauma
  • Relationships/Communication
  • Self-Esteem
  • Self-Harm
  • Social Anxiety/Phobia
  • Social Skills
  • Stress
  • Substance Abuse/Use
  • Women’s Issues
  • Work/Career

Intensive Study/Specialization:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Family Therapy
  • Mindfulness
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • OCD
  • TEAM CBT (David Burns)

Marriage and Family Therapists are mental health professionals trained in psychotherapy with a family systems influence, and licensed to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders that affect individuals, couples, and families. The Federal government has designated marriage and family therapy as a core mental health profession along with psychiatry, psychology, social work and psychiatric nursing. The State of California support and regulate the profession by licensing MFTs.

Educational requirements

Marriage and Family Therapists have graduate training (either a masters or doctoral degree) in counseling psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy. Prior to a rigorous exam process leading to licensure, LMFTs must complete at least 3,000 hours of post-graduate clinical experience under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional. Before full licensure, LMFTs are called “Associates”. LMFTs are employed in a variety of private and public settings, including private practice, community mental health centers, and behavioral managed care organizations.

Do LMFTs only work with clients who are having problems in their marriages and families?

No. While LMFTs are qualified to do couples and family therapy, most LMFTs work with individual adults to not only enhance the quality of their relationships, but also decrease symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress.

How can a LMFT help me?

Like other mental health professionals such as social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists, LMFTs help clients by diagnosing and treating common emotional and behavioral difficulties that interfere with functioning at an optimal level. LMFTs use empirical-supported counseling techniques to help their clients achieve desired goals.