Joanna Will

Biography & Treatment Approach

I am an Indianapolis-based clinical psychologist, licensed to practice in Indiana and New York. I have worked in the mental health field since 2008, and owned Will Psychology since 2019. Before private practice, I worked in psychiatric inpatient and community mental health settings. I bring a well-rounded expertise to treating and assessing adults with most mental health conditions.

My therapy style is genuine, open-minded, attuned, and curious. It’s important to me that therapy feels warm, welcome, and accepting – inclusivity is a core personal and professional value of mine. My therapy office (whether virtual or physical) is a space where all parts of you are welcome and respected.

As an insight-oriented therapist, I help clients who feel stuck to gain a deeper understanding of their patterns and values – which becomes the pathway for growth and change. As your therapist, I walk alongside you through challenges, setbacks, and successes. We work as a team to identify treatment goals and help you live a life that honors your values.

I specialize in working with high achieving adults who struggle with intense inner critics, depression, anxiety, and long-term impacts of childhood complex trauma. However, I have extensive experience working with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness (e.g., psychosis), borderline personality disorder, and high-risk behaviors. Often, I see clients who have tried other modes of therapy but still feel stuck in a cycle of perfectionist expectations, shame, defensiveness, and emotional shutdown. Instead of fighting against and shaming yourself, I help you approach yourself and your patterns with curiosity and compassion.

My therapeutic approach is trauma-informed, integrative, and holistic, with an appreciation for how social and systemic factors contribute to mental health. I am level two trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) through the IFS Institute and use this treatment modality heavily in my practice. I also incorporate psychodynamic, mindfulness, and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) interventions when indicated.

I also have advanced training in forensic evaluations for criminally-involved individuals, and approximately 50% of my practice is devoted to forensic work across Indiana. Prior to moving back to Indiana, I was certified to conduct competency and criminal responsibility evaluations in the Commonwealth of Virginia after completing extensive training at the UVa Institute of Law, Psychiatry, and Public Policy. I also specialized in forensics during my internship at Bellevue Hospital Center in New York.

Across my career, I have also welcomed opportunities to contribute to the learning and growth of other clinicians. For many years, I supervised predoctoral psychology interns at a local community mental health clinic. My research has been published in peer-reviewed journals.

Some personal facts: My roots are in New York, but I call Indiana home. I am a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. I live with my partner, one dog, and two cats in Indianapolis, Indiana. In my free time, I enjoy photography, ceramics, live music, trying new restaurants, traveling, and learning ASL.