After a 30-year career in the television industry, Joanie decided to pursue a Masters in Social Work. She entered the MSW program at Loyola University of Chicago in 2009. Joanie completed her coursework and practicums and received her MSW in May, 2012.

After graduating from Loyola, Joanie worked at Hazelden Betty Ford Chicago as an addictions counselor. She worked with clients in Day Treatment, the Day Intensive Outpatient Program and the Evening Intensive Outpatient Program.

Joanie was a 2012-2013 Fellow at The Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis where she continued her post-graduate studies in the Institute’s Adult Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Program.