Joy Gergis

Qualifications & Experience

I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Family Studies, and Bible/Theology from Johnson University, and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. I also earned a graduate certificate in Grief, Loss, and Trauma. I am dual licensed in Tennessee and Texas, and I am also a National Certified Counselor and a Provisionally Certified Family Life Educator. Additionally, I have completed training on Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

My Call to Christian Counseling

Growing up as a Christian in the Middle East, I witnessed the impact that social unrest, suffering, and isolation can have on individuals. From a young age, I was interested in human behavior and the ways people respond to pain and hardship. During my undergraduate studies at Johnson University, I gained a deeper understanding of the psychological, spiritual, physiological, and relational effects of trauma and stress. Through both clinical and theological training, I felt a calling from the Lord to pursue clinical counseling to walk alongside people in their suffering and support them in gaining a deeper understanding of themselves, their purpose, and God’s grace in difficult seasons.

More About Me/On a Personal Note

I enjoy listening to podcasts, reading, trying new foods, traveling to new cities, and spending time with my family and friends. I have faithfully served in my local church for the past 14 years, where I helped coordinate support and educational groups focused on adjustment, relational challenges, and life transitions within the congregation while sharing the gospel.

Areas of Expertise/Specialties

• Abandonment and Neglect
• ADHD
• Anger Management and Emotional Regulation
• Anxiety
• Bipolar Disorder
• Chemical Dependency
• Counseling in Arabic
• Cross-cultural Issues
• Depression
• Grief and Loss
• Individual Counseling
• Infidelity and Affairs
• Life Transitions
• Lifespan Integration
• Men’s Issues
• Online Counseling
• Personal Development
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Professional Development
• Relationship Issues
• Sex and Porn Addiction
• Sexual Abuse
• Spiritual Development
• Trauma (including War and Conflict-Related Trauma)
• Weight Loss and Healthy Lifestyle Support
• Women’s Issues

Depression

Depression can feel like heaviness, emptiness, or disconnection from yourself, others, and even God. In these moments, I want to come alongside you and help you make sense of what you are carrying with the purpose of restoring motivation to engage in all aspects of your life, while reconnecting you to meaning and purpose and recalling the Lord’s promises together.

Anxiety

Racing thoughts, worry about the future, or feeling stuck trying to gain control over things that feel uncertain are all ways anxiety can show up. Scripture encourages us to “take every thought captive” (2 Corinthians 10:5), which is a reminder that while we may not always control our circumstances, we can learn to respond to them with truth and trust in our Savior. As your therapist, I will help you identify the roots of your anxiety, introduce practical tools to slow down your mind and body, and explore strategies to facilitate a deeper perseverance in the midst of uncertainty.

Trauma

Trauma often comes from painful or unjust experiences that can deeply impact how you see yourself, others, or even God. It can leave you questioning your safety, identity, and trust. Scripture says, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33), but it also reminds us to “take heart” as we navigate those painful moments. Using my training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and clinical experience in high-trauma settings, I aim to help you process painful and intrusive memories with both evidence-based tools and spiritual care. My hope is that you find our therapeutic relationship to be a space where you rebuild a sense of safety and capacity to hold difficult memories with greater meaning.

Relationship Issues

I believe we are fundamentally created for connection and belonging. The Bible highlights not only the beauty of community but the pain that comes when relationships are strained or broken. In therapy, I will help you explore the patterns in which you relate to others, clarify your needs and values, and support you in understanding the possible causes of tension in your relationships. My aim is for you to gain self-awareness and grow so you can engage with others in a manner that is intentional and in alignment with who God is shaping you to become.

Grief and Loss

Grief is often associated with losing a loved one, but it can also come from losses such as the end of a relationship, feelings of distance between you and your living loved ones, changes in health or mobility, changes in identity, or other life transitions that may leave you feeling disconnected from something that once felt familiar. In our grief work, I will support you in processing any hurt resulting from your loss while recognizing the parts of yourself that feel lost. My hope is that you find comfort in our Refuge who is “near to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18) so that you experience the peace of Christ that allows you to carry your loss and move forward with strength and hope.

Availability (by office location):

• McKinney – Monday, Thursday and Friday
• McKinney West – Tuesday and Wednesday
• Online Counseling – Saturday

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session, the entire fee for the session will be waived. For ongoing treatment, the full fee per session is required at the time of service.

Insurance: As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), most insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services (as an Out-of-Network Provider). Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover adolescents, individuals, and couples.

Receipts/Statements: In the event you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).

Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A fee of up to 4% per transaction may be added for credit card payments.