Licensed to practice in 2 states and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Chronic Illness, Coping Skills, Self Esteem and 10 more.
(she/her)
New to Grow
Hello, I'm Janelle, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker dedicated to helping adolescents, young adults, adults, and older adults navigate life's challenges with compassion, authenticity, and practical support. I believe therapy should be a collaborative space where you feel heard, understood, and empowered to create meaningful change. While my clinical background includes supporting individuals and families through serious medical diagnoses, chronic illness, pregnancy and postpartum journeys, caregiver stress, grief and loss, and end-of-life transitions, I also work with clients facing everyday challenges such as anxiety, depression, burnout, relationship concerns, stress, self-esteem, and major life transitions. Whether you're navigating a significant life event or simply feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about your next steps, you don't have to face it alone. My approach is warm, collaborative, and strengths-based. I tailor therapy to each client's unique needs by integrating evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Solution-Focused Therapy, and mindfulness techniques. I believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is the foundation for meaningful change, and my goal is to create a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you can gain insight, build resilience, and develop practical tools to help you move forward with confidence.
Starting therapy can feel like a big step, and it’s normal to feel nervous about the first session. My focus is on building rapport and getting to know you as a whole person, not just your current concerns. We’ll talk about what brought you to therapy and explore parts of your day-to-day life, such as work, relationships, family, stressors, support systems, and personal history; as you feel comfortable sharing. This helps us better understand your experiences and begin identifying goals that feel meaningful and realistic. It’s also important to me that therapy feels like a good fit for you. Not every therapist is the right fit for every person, and that’s completely okay. We will use our first sessions to see if working together feels comfortable and supportive. You’ll also have space to ask questions, share what you’re hoping for, and get a sense of my approach. My goal is to create a nonjudgmental space where you feel safe being yourself.
My clinical experience across medical settings, including serious illness, grief, and major life transitions, has shaped a calm, grounded, and compassionate approach in session. I understand how overwhelming life can feel, and I focus on creating a steady space where clients feel safe, heard, and not rushed. In sessions, I tend to balance both holding space and gently challenging when it feels helpful. I won’t push clients before they’re ready, but I will reflect patterns, offer insight, and support meaningful change when appropriate. I’m also open to feedback and can adjust my approach based on what feels most helpful for each client. My goal is to meet each person where they are while helping them move toward the goals that matter to them.
My ideal clients include adolescents, young adults, and adults navigating a range of life transitions and emotional challenges. I particularly enjoy working with individuals experiencing postpartum adjustment and new parent stress, caregivers and family members experiencing burnout, and those processing grief, end-of-life experiences, or serious illness within themselves or their loved ones. I also support clients managing everyday concerns such as anxiety, depression, stress, burnout, relationship or family conflict, and challenges related to navigating adulthood. This can include college students or young adults adjusting to independence, as well as individuals working through unresolved childhood or family trauma that continues to impact their current relationships and emotional well-being. Across all of these areas, I am especially drawn to clients who are open to exploring patterns, building insight, and developing practical tools to support meaningful change.
Other specialties
I identify as
Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Suicide Prevention (CBT-SP)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a practical, goal-oriented approach to help clients understand the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Together, we identify unhelpful thinking patterns and how they may contribute to stress, anxiety, or feeling stuck. We then focus on building more balanced thinking and small, realistic tools that can be used in everyday life. This can include simple shifts in perspective and habits that help create more moments of joy and support noticing the positive in daily experiences over time. My goal is to help clients feel more empowered, grounded, and able to create meaningful, sustainable change.
Motivational Interviewing
I use Motivational Interviewing (MI) as a collaborative, client-centered approach to help people explore ambivalence and strengthen their own motivation for change. Rather than telling clients what to do, I focus on understanding where they are, what matters most to them, and what feels challenging about making changes. Together, we explore goals in a way that feels supportive and nonjudgmental, helping clients build confidence in their ability to take meaningful steps forward at their own pace.
Humanistic
I take a humanistic approach in my work, which means I focus on the whole person and the belief that everyone has the capacity for growth and healing. I aim to create a supportive, nonjudgmental space where clients feel genuinely seen, heard, and understood.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
I use aspects of Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help clients better understand the different “parts” of themselves that may show up in response to stress, emotions, or past experiences. This can include parts that try to protect, parts that feel overwhelmed, or parts that hold pain from earlier experiences. Together, we work on developing curiosity and compassion toward these parts, rather than judgment, with the goal of increasing self-understanding, emotional balance, and a stronger sense of inner calm and clarity.
Strength-Based
I use a strengths-based approach that focuses on identifying and building on each client’s existing resilience, skills, and personal strengths. Rather than focusing only on what feels “wrong,” we also explore what has helped you cope, survive, and get through difficult experiences. Together, we use these strengths as a foundation for growth, helping you build confidence, increase self-awareness, and move toward meaningful and realistic goals.