Angel Joel, LCMHCA, LCAS-A, NCC
she/her
“Self is a sea boundless and measureless. … The soul unfolds itself, like a lotus of countless petals.”
- Khalil Gibran, The Prophet, “On Self-Knowledge”
You are the author of your story, and I help you write it.
Kahlil Gibran’s metaphor likens the soul to a lotus flower. My aim as a clinician is to help you unfold the petals of your life’s story. We each have our stories that inform who we have become, who we are, and who we aim to be.
Qualifications |
Angel graduated from UNC Chapel Hill (BA in linguistics, 2016) and Wake Forest University (MA in clinical mental health counseling in 2021). In addition, she is currently a PhD student at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in their Counseling and Counselor Education program. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (A16713) and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist Associate (LCAS-27284) in North Carolina.
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Counseling Background |
Throughout her life, Angel has been committed to a life of service. During college, she worked as habilitation technician, where she worked with individuals with autism. This was when she understood her skills of working from a strengths-based model to support clients in achieving her goals. From there, she volunteered at hospitals, local non-profits, and community agencies to explore her career options. Her role as administrative staff at an outpatient pain management clinic made her realize that she wanted to support clients that struggle with substance use. She then enrolled with Wake Forest in their online Clinical Mental Health Counseling program; she continued to work full time while completing her coursework. Angel completed her master’s clinical experience at Addiction Recovery Care Association, an inpatient treatment center for individuals with substance use disorders. Through this experience, she learned that a systems-based approach to substance use is vital in supporting her clients. This led to her pursuing her doctorate at UNC Greensboro, where her research is dedicated to systemic change. In addition, she completed her doctoral clinical experience at the Nicholas A. Vacc Clinic, where she worked with students at UNC Greensboro.
As an Asian Indian woman who was born and raised in North Carolina, she knows what it’s like to feel alone in her experiences. She understands the unique experience that Indian immigrants and their families face. She brings her passion for creating spaces for community into counseling. Her identities are a part of the counseling space, and she creates an environment of unconditional positive regard, compassion, and genuineness so that clients feel comfortable telling her their story. |
Specialization |
As Angel accompanies her clients on their journey of self-discovery, she uses a narrative, feminist, and strengths-based approach. She is also trauma-informed and is certified in brainspotting (level 1). Angel works with adults of all ages around concerns like substance use, racial and cultural identity development, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and life transitions.
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Personal Life |
Angel grew up in Winston-Salem. She is a Carolina basketball fan and only pays attention to sports when UNC is playing; she will admit that she can get feisty about her Heels! In her free time, she enjoys playing video games, cross stitching, gardening, taking naps, and exploring new places. On weekends, she is either with her parents, her husband, or her friends.
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