LCSW, 20 years of experience
New to Grow
Hi, I’m Janine, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who helps children, teens, adults and families navigate anxiety, big emotions, and life transitions with compassion and practical tools. I combine evidence-based approaches with creativity, playfulness, and a down-to-earth style that helps clients feel safe, understood, and supported. My goal is to meet you exactly where you are, build on your strengths, and work together toward meaningful, lasting change.
In our first session, we’ll take things at a comfortable pace and focus on getting to know each other. I’ll ask about what’s bringing you in, what you’ve been experiencing, and what you hope to get out of therapy, but there’s no pressure to have everything figured out. We’ll talk through your goals, explore what feels most important to you right now, and start building a plan together. My priority is helping you feel safe, supported, and understood from the very beginning so you leave that first session feeling grounded and hopeful about the work ahead.
My greatest strengths as a therapist are my ability to create a warm, safe space and to blend evidence-based approaches with creativity and practicality. I’m skilled at helping clients understand their thoughts and emotions, build coping tools that actually work in everyday life, and navigate challenges with confidence. I bring a calm, grounded presence, a collaborative style, and a knack for making therapy feel approachable—especially for kids and teens who need someone patient, engaging, and attuned to their needs. Clients often tell me they feel truly heard, supported, and empowered to grow.
I’m best positioned to serve children, teens, and adults who are navigating anxiety, overwhelm, family stress, or big life changes and want support that feels both grounding and practical. My ideal clients are open to exploring their thoughts and emotions, curious about trying new coping tools, and ready to build skills that help them feel more confident and understood. I work especially well with clients who appreciate a collaborative, gentle, and strengths-focused approach—where we move at a pace that feels safe while creating real, meaningful change.
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as a practical, flexible framework in my work, helping clients understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors connect. I guide them in identifying unhelpful thinking patterns, exploring alternative perspectives, and building coping skills that support emotional regulation. My approach blends cognitive tools with creative, kid-friendly strategies, behavioral experiments, and supportive problem-solving, making CBT accessible and meaningful for children, teens, and adults.
I use Narrative Therapy to help clients separate themselves from their problems and reconnect with their strengths, values, and personal stories. Together, we explore the narratives that shape how they see themselves and gently re-author the ones that no longer serve them. My approach is collaborative and empowering, helping clients identify their resilience, reclaim their voice, and create new meanings that support healing and growth.
I use a strengths-based approach that focuses on clients’ existing abilities, resilience, and inner resources. Instead of centering problems, I help clients identify what’s already working, build on their natural capacities, and use their strengths as tools for change. This approach fosters confidence and empowerment, allowing clients to move forward with a clearer sense of capability and hope.