Profile / United States
Janel Guinane, LCSW
California
California LCSW - stress and trauma support
See online therapy options- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Trauma-focused methods
About Janel
Janel Guinane is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California with 10 years of professional experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, parenting challenges, self-esteem and depression. She also supports those dealing with trauma and abuse, relationship and family concerns, eating issues, anger, career transitions, bipolar disorder, and compassion fatigue.
Her background began in residential substance use work in San Francisco in 1997 and led to a Bachelor of Social Work in 2008 and a Master of Social Work in 2010. She has worked across settings including youth services, homeless programs, and county mental health assessments. That range informs how she sees everyday challenges and system-related barriers.
In sessions she uses practical, person-focused methods. She treats clients as the experts on their own lives and aims to guide and collaborate rather than give direct advice. Motivational Interviewing and Client-Centered ideas shape how she listens and helps people set goals.
When trauma is part of the picture she may draw on EMDR and trauma-focused tools alongside solution-focused steps. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is part of her approach for noticing and changing unhelpful thoughts and habits.
Her work tends to emphasize clear goals, small experiments, and skills practice that can be tried between meetings. People often leave sessions with specific steps to test and adjust. She works in English and accepts international clients, based in California.
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Janel commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify thoughts and behaviors that get in the way of their goals. CBT involves practical exercises, thought records, and small behavioral experiments that can be assigned between meetings to track progress.She also draws on Client-Centered Therapy, which focuses on listening, asking clarifying questions, and helping people define their own goals. For clients whose history includes trauma, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) may be used alongside trauma-focused techniques to process distressing memories in a paced way.
Choosing an approach is a collaborative step in the first few sessions. The therapist will review presenting issues, client goals, and personal preferences to decide which methods to prioritize. That decision can change as work progresses and as different needs emerge.
Practical benefits of online work include easier scheduling and fitting sessions around school, work, or caregiving. Some session formats require less bandwidth or camera use, which can make shorter check-ins or problem-focused sessions simpler to manage. Confirm the current session options before booking so timing, length, and format match daily routines.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with most often?
She helps with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, parenting strain, trauma and relationship issues among other concerns listed in her profile.
How does she use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
She uses CBT to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and habits and to test small behavioral changes. CBT is used alongside other methods when appropriate.
What is her professional background?
She began working in residential substance use services in 1997, earned a Bachelor of Social Work in 2008 and a Master of Social Work in 2010, and has a decade of experience since licensure.
What credential does she hold and where does she practice?
She is an LCSW licensed in California and practices from California.
Which languages and international options are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
The original biography did not specify session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.