"Being human is not about being any one particular way; it is about being as life creates you—with your own particular strengths and weaknesses, gifts and challenges, quirks and oddities."
- Kristin Neff
Joe Gilbert
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor &
Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher
I am incredibly grateful to have served the Triangle area as a licensed counselor since 2005.
I studied psychology at NC State and was trained as a counselor at Penn State with a focus on Rehabilitation Counseling. My training was rooted in Person-Centered Counseling and the work of Carl Rogers. I wouldn't be where I am without all the wonderful teachers who have shared their wisdom with me along the way.
Read more: Earlier Work, Private Practice, Mindfulness & Meditation, Theoretical Orientation, Personal Life
EARLIER WORK
Much of my clinical experience came from working at the Alcoholism Treatment Center in Raleigh. I served as an inpatient counselor and worked closely with a multidisciplinary team helping people recover from addiction and mental health issues. I later worked for Triangle Family Services, where I continued to provide individual counseling on an outpatient basis. I also contracted with local agencies to provide in-home counseling.
After leaving Triangle Family Services I joined TPC Counseling, where I immersed myself in Narrative Therapy and the integration of spirituality and counseling.
PRIVATE PRACTICE OPENING
I opened my private practice in 2014, and provide counseling services in the Hillsborough area. While working in private practice I decided to become certified as a mindfulness meditation teacher. I discovered Tara Brach in 2009, started attending retreats with her and other teachers, and eventually completed a 2-year teacher training program taught by Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield.
MINDFULNESS & MEDITATION
I have found the practice of meditation to be incredibly helpful in my own life. I really enjoy working with individuals who are interested in meditation as part of the counseling process.
PERSONAL LIFE
THEORETICAL ORIENTATION
I consider my counseling style to be kind and direct, practical and infused with a healthy dose of humor. My training was rooted in Person-Centered Counseling. This theory trusts that you have the answers within you. I offer awareness and compassion practices in my work to help you see this for yourself. Our own wisdom can be obscured by our conditioning and habit patterns.
I am familiar with and have experience in using a variety of counseling approaches and will tailor my approach to suit your needs. My approach is also influenced by my interest in contemplative spirituality.
"To attain knowledge, add things everyday. To attain wisdom, remove things every day." -- Lao Tau
While originally from California, I have lived in Texas, Rhode Island, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. North Carolina has been my home since 1993.
Meditation (or simply sitting quietly) is a regular part of my day. I also enjoy a good cup of coffee, hiking and backpacking, reading and writing, live music, and cheering on the Carolina Hurricanes.
My spouse and I are happy to call Hillsborough, North Carolina our home.