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Janet's Bio

      Janet received her master’s degree from Kansas State University in Human Development and Family Studies, with a specialization in adolescence and youth. She is a licensed professional clinical counselor in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. She has over fifteen years of experience in mental health counseling with individuals, families and groups.
      She is a Registered Play Therapist -Supervisor (RPT-S) through the Association of Play Therapy (APT).
      She is an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) trained therapist.
      Training can be used with children and adults for a variety of problems. Janet is a member of the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) and the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISST-D).
      Janet spent eight years as an adjunct faculty member in the Behavioral Science Department of Bluegrass Community and Technical College. She taught family studies courses in child development, human sexuality and general psychology. Additionally, she taught courses in marriage and family, personality theories, and human relations over the past fifteen years.
      Janet has conducted more than 1000 training workshops in child social/ emotional development, adolescent and adult suicide assessment and intervention, ethics, nature games to enhance self-esteem, marriage enrichment, play therapy interventions, separation & grief, Army Family Team Building, workplace violence, stress management, mental health laws and various mental health assessments: Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Multnmah Community Ability Scale, and the Clinical Alcohol and Drug Scale.
      Janet has served as a member of various community advocacy groups to help children, youth, and families. She was appointed at a Kentucky Youth Advocate Fellow in November, 2005.
      She served as an Advisory Council Member of The Salvation Army’s Boys and Girls Club of the Bluegrass in Lexington from 2003-2008. Janet is the member of the Kentucky Association for Play Therapy Board of Directors as a Secretary.
      Janet has been interviewed for article in Parents magazine, Generation X, and shared her knowledge on local news broadcasts.
      Janet’s approach to counseling is that every person has strengths, resources and resiliencies to help them and their family overcome obstacles and life problems. Counseling will not be a long process if she and the client work together to develop skills to solve current and future problems. She will offer various strategies and goals that focus on education and guidance which are clear, logical and practical.
      As a mental health professional, Janet has a strong obligation to help her clients to achieve optimal mental health. As a potential client or parent, you want to be confident that any mental health professional you choose is well trained in their primary disciplines and specializations.
      Janet believes that play therapy may be the best modality to treat her children and adolescent clients. Play therapy involves using puppets, toys, dramatic play, games, art, music, stories, and books (bibliotherapy).
      Through play therapy, children learn to communicate with others, express feelings, modify behavior, develop problem-solving skills, and learn a variety of ways of relating to others. Play provides a safe psychological distance from their problems and allows expression of thoughts and feelings appropriate to their development.
      Parents may involved in or encouraged to use similar play therapy techniques or interventions at home as homework or to assist in encouraging positive behavior at home. Janet has worked with the client’s teacher to create tools for a positive school experience.
      Play can even be used with adults, parents and families to enhance communication, problem-solving and better cope with crisis. After all, it is a fun, enjoyable activity that elevates our spirits and brightens our outlook on life. Play expands self-expression, self-knowledge, self-actualization and self-efficacy. Play relieves feelings of stress and boredom, connects us to people in a positive way, stimulates creative thinking and exploration, regulates our emotions, and boosts our ego (Landreth, 2002). For more information you may visit (APT) for more information.
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    Office Hours
    Monday 9:00 AM 6:00 PM
    Tuesday 8:00 AM 7:00 PM
    Wednesday 9:00 AM 6:00 PM
    Thursday 8:00 AM 7:00 PM
    Friday 9:00 AM 1:00 PM
    Saturday 9:00 AM 12:00 PM