Meet Janene

janene forsyth headshot1

“I am not this hair, I am not this skin. I am the soul that lives within.” – Rumi

Hello! Allow me to introduce myself. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a private practice, providing psychotherapy to individuals and couples throughout California. The focus of my work includes adults and teens struggling in areas of anxiety, depression, grief/loss, interpersonal relationships, and trauma.

My approach to therapy is through establishing a relationship of safety, respect, compassion, and support. The tools I use are instrumental in breaking through road blocks, gaining insight, and instilling empowerment for desired life changes in my individual and couples therapy..

As a stage III cancer survivor, I have walked the path of loss of my own health. I have now been cancer-free for over ten years. I have experienced deep levels of grief and loss over my lifetime. With each personal life challenge, I have done deep inner work to transform my pain to healing and peace. I know first hand that we are wired to heal physically, mentally and emotionally. As Rumi has so eloquently said, we are not our bodies. We are also not our painful or traumatic stories. When we are able to get in touch with our “soul that lives within,” and come from that place to address and soothe our wounds, fears, and challenges, magic can happen! Individual and couple’s therapy can make that magic happen!

Beyond my own life lessons of transformation, I have over 27 years of experience in hospice and psychotherapy counseling. I have over a thousand hours of training in numerous therapy models that has provided me with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively support you in your path of inner growth and healing.

Issues I work with:
ADD/ADHD
Addiction and Compulsive Behaviors
Anger Management
Anxiety
Couples, Families, Blended Families
Communication
Coping Skills
Depression
Dealing with Cancer, serious Health issues, and Chronic Pain
Divorce
Faith Crisis/Faith Integration
Family Conflict
Fears and Phobias
Grief and Loss
Identity Crisis
Inner Critic Work
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Panic Attacks
Parenting
Parts Work
PTSD
Relationship Issues
Self Awareness
Self Esteem and Criticism
Self Harming
Self Integration (integrating various parts within yourself)
Sexual Abuse
Sexual Difficulties
Stress
Substance Abuse
Trauma
Values Conflict

My Services:
Individuals, couples, teenagers, and families.
Premarital counseling
Parenting strategies

Education:
Masters in Science, Clinical Psychology, Simpson University 2013
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Summa Cum Laude, Bethany University, 2009

Psychotherapy Workshops, Trainings, and Certifications:
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocess (EMDR), 2023
Emotional Focused Therapy Couples Externship Training, and Individual (EFIT) Training, 2020
Assisted trainer in Clinical Hypnotherapy & NLP training, Institute for Transpersonal Studies, 2019
Brainspotting Trauma Therapy Training, Phase I and Phase II, 2017
Clinical Hypnotherapy & Neuro-Linguistic Programing (NLP) Certification, 2015
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, 2013
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level One Certification, 2012-2013
IFS Trauma & Addiction training, 2012
Intimacy, Sexuality & Relationships training, 2012
Solution Focused Brief Therapy, 2012
Certified Life Coach, Licensed NLP and Master Hypnotherapist, 2010

Professional Organizations:
American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT)
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) – Santa Cruz Chapter
Christian Counseling Centers (CCC), and speaker for Hope @ Home Seminars
The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC)