Janice Shapiro, MA, LMFT California Lic #86051

Psychotherapist for Marriage, Individual and Family Happiness 

My Story

My career journey from teacher to the marriage and family therapist I am today has  gone through a lot of new ways of thinking or 'SHIFTS' as I call them. Each Shift has been a professional growth and fueled my curiosity for this wonderful field of psychology and the courageous stories of my clients. 

Starting the journey as an elementary school teacher in grades kindergarten to middle school, I learned so much about how children absorb, learn, and develop. MY FIRST SHIFT occurred during parent-teacher conferences. After the regular part of "How your child is doing", parents would tell me about their family story: the history, struggles, heartaches and joys. They would tell me ALL. I began seeing my students in a new light as family members incorporating their parents' joys and struggles into the daily school routine. When I looked at each of my students, I saw their parents standing behind them. I was drawn to the field of marriage and family therapy. 

MY SECOND SHIFT occurred when as a novice therapist. I worked with my clients on the usual issues: relationships, anxiety, depression, stress, worries, and generally being unhappy with their lives. The more clients I saw, the more obvious it became that past experiences informed current issues. We were able to connect the dots and figure out the Why; first step towards healing! 

MY THIRD SHIFT occurred while working with couples, Most couples come to me saying they need help with communication. Sounds simple, doesn't it? But it's not. Often, we don't even remember the words said or what the fight was about. We communicate with emotions. When heated emotions take over, couples communicate like enemies rather than lovers. It becomes a war zone at home (and sometimes in session).  "She drives me nuts with her nagging!" and "I can't trust anything he tells me." Words leave; hurt feelings stay. Hence, Loving Communicators came to be. Couples are taught special skills so that they can communicate lovingly.

MY FOURTH SHIFT occurs while out and about with my australian shepherd, Ranger. People young and old come up to us and ask if they can pet Ranger. After petting and getting their licks, they thanked me and left with a calm, satisfied smile. This happened so often that I just had to research why dogs (and cats) are so approachable to strangers. It seems during Touch, something wonderful happens. The feel-good hormone oxytocin increases in both human and dog while lowering the stress hormone cortisol. Reciprocity at its best! Reduce your stress, anxiety and depression while at the same time contributing to your pet's wellness. Thus evolved Rotary Canine Massage. 

MY FIFTH SHIFT occurred as I became a Pet Loss & Grief Specialist and witnessed the unique bond between humans and their pets. Hearing clients stories and enormous love for their pets made me realize this is a bond like no other. Why? Because with pets, we experience pure, unconditional love. Humans are more complicated. We start life wired for secure attachment and vulnerability, but then bad stuff happens ('Life Happens') and we end up 'protecting' ourselves through all kinds of defenses. Some hang on and on and on even when no longer needed, causing issues. 

I started out as a teacher; and still am a teacher in many ways. We are constantly learning. What we learn and our beliefs are shaped by experiences. The brain is an amazing organ. It allows us the ability to unlearn that which is unhelpful and learn new ways of being.  I work mainly from several therapies: Learned Behavioral Therapy, Inherited Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and psychodynamic Therapy. These therapies and others allow for Shifts in thinking creating secure attachments AKA strong bonds AKA unconditional love aka happiness and well-being.

Janice,

Psychotherapist for couples, individual and family happiness.

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