We live in a high-performance, fast-paced culture, where we’re constantly under pressure to strive for perfection in our relationships, careers, and family-life.
Sound familiar?
Hi! I’m Janice, co-owner of Safe Haven and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I’m a trauma-informed child and adolescent development expert committed to helping individuals, couples, and families learn how to communicate effectively, create a sense of safety at home, and strengthen the bonds in their relationships. I specialize in supporting clients through anxiety, grief, loss, and trauma, honoring the depth and complexity that comes with these experiences.
Whether you’re navigating personal challenges or relational dynamics, I’m here to support you. I approach our sessions with tenderness, warmth, and a genuine commitment to collaboration. I honor your unique needs and goals, recognizing that each client is different and requires tailored support.
In therapy with me, everyone’s voice matters. In our sessions, we’ll take a break from the fast pace of family life and create space to slow down and foster an atmosphere where everyone feels safe, heard, and nurtured. Together, we’ll confront and navigate the heavy stuff with plenty of joy, humor, and warm fuzzies along the way.
I offer in-person sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, with virtual availability on Thursdays and Fridays. I also offer early morning sessions to accommodate your schedule. I’d love to set up a consultation to see if we are a good fit!
You can check your insurance benefits and see my consultation availability here.
Let’s connect and set up a consultation!
Expertise
Parenting, Children & Family Support
Working directly with children and teens
Parenting strategies & support
Building safety & trust at home
Foster care & adoption support
Blended family transitions
Family planning & decision‑making
Supporting parents in balancing caregiving with their own identity and well‑being
Relationships & Communication
Conflict resolution in relationships
Healthy communication skills
Understanding attachment styles
Family of origin exploration
Trauma, Grief & Emotional Well‑Being
Complex PTSD & trauma recovery
Family & generational trauma
Anxiety, stress & emotional overwhelm
Grief, loss & bereavement
Navigating chronic or terminal illness in the family
Faith & Meaning
Integrating spiritual or religious beliefs into therapy
Who I work with
Children and teens navigating big feelings, changes, or challenges at school or home
Moms and dads who want to be fully present parents while still feeling like themselves
Parents and caregivers who want tools, perspective, and encouragement
Couples wanting to deepen connection, rebuild trust, or navigate conflict
Whole families seeking a supportive space to address challenges together
Foster and adoptive families working through transitions, attachment, or identity questions
Individuals facing anxiety, stress, or feeling “stuck” in life
People processing grief, loss, or major life changes
Adults healing from difficult childhoods or complicated family relationships
Clients who wish to incorporate spirituality or faith into their therapy work
Approaches I Use
Attachment‑Based Work: We’ll explore how your earliest relationships shaped the way you connect, trust, and feel safe with others.
Emotion‑Focused Therapy (EFT): We’ll slow down and look at what you’re really feeling, so you can understand your emotions and respond in ways that feel better for you.
Trauma‑Informed Care: I make sure our work honors your experiences and moves at a pace that feels safe, with no pressure to share more than you’re ready for.
Family Systems Approach: We’ll look at the bigger family picture to see how patterns and roles have influenced your life — and how to shift the ones that aren’t helping.
Play & Expressive Therapies: Sometimes it’s easier to show feelings through play, art, or creative activities instead of just words.
TBRI®: A proven way to build trust and connection, especially for children and families who have experienced hard things.
ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy): We’ll focus on what matters most to you and help you take steps toward it, even when life feels heavy.
Solution‑Focused Therapy: We’ll highlight your strengths and find practical, hopeful steps forward.
Somatic EMDR: A powerful way to process trauma by combining body awareness with EMDR, so healing happens both in your mind and body.
Safe & Sound Protocol: Gentle, listening‑based sessions that help your body feel calmer and more connected.
Collaborative Care: I can work alongside other professionals or supports in your life so you feel truly surrounded by care.
More About Me
I began my career as a middle school science teacher in Bronx, NY, while receiving my Master’s in Secondary Science Education from City College. As an educator, I acquired extensive experience and knowledge in child and adolescent development, refining my ability to create a nurturing yet structured environment that allowed children to thrive.
In 2010, I relocated to Texas with my husband and two sons, and we embarked on the meaningful journey of adopting our daughter. This experience ignited my passion for the foster and adoptive community. As a volunteer, mentor, and advocate within the foster care system, I developed a profound understanding of the complexity of the system and provided guidance and support to families in need. In 2016, I became a practitioner and trainer of Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), a modality that focuses on learning and practicing strategies on how to build safety and trust at home with kids from hard places.
Throughout my involvement in the foster and adoptive community, I felt a deep yearning to offer families more support. In 2019, recognizing my passion for empowering families and my profound love for people nurtured through teaching and advocacy, I made the decision to pursue a career as a therapist. I received my Master of Arts in Counseling from Saint Edward's University in 2023, and now it brings me immense joy to help families of all backgrounds thrive and flourish in their own unique ways.
When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband of 18 years and our three teenagers.
EDUCATION
M.A. Counseling, St. Edward’s University, Austin, TX – 2023
M.A. Science Education, City College, New York, NY – 2008
B.A. Environmental Science and Policy, Hood College, Frederick, MD – 2006
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Worked with kids and families for twenty years.
Completed TBRI Practitioner training with TCU’s Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development.
Served as a licensed trauma-informed foster home for children in crisis.
Mentored and trained other foster and adoptive families.
Specialized in preschool and family photography.
Taught middle school science in Bronx, NY.
Texas License #205070
