About Joe

At one point Joe mentions how in his youth, people didn't talk about what was bothering them and how that helped them remain happier, so it could follow how his family didn't have much to say about Abigayle's mother's illness, and how many like Joe kept their sexuality on the down low, and got married.
Seems like the movie is suggesting it is better to talk about your personal issues and challenges, and tells us how Joe has come to see that, especially concerning sexuality.
He admits the first man he ever made love to (when he was a youth) ended up getting married twice, with an unhappy outcome both attempts.
It's interesting that Joe is a counselor and that a lot of his clients are young, yet in his spare time he chats up young men on the internet and at least in this case (probably others) meets a young man from the internet, June.
Joe certainly urges June to face himself now, in order to head his life in a happy direction, perhaps to avoid what has happened to some gay men from Joe's era.
Side note, I always liked Wendell Pierce, and enjoyed him in this role. In fact all four actors were great. I liked the movie, the writing and the acting quite a lot.