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 changes 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 motto became: Whatever learned, can be replaced with new ways of being.

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. Communication is complex and takes a lot of hard work from both partners to become Loving Communicators. It finally dawned on me Shift, Shift!! that these couples communicated like enemies rather than lovers. It was like a war zone at home (and sometimes in session). From, "She drives me nuts with her nagging!" to "I can't trust anything he tells me." Adversaries rather than lovers. Hence, Loving Communicators marriage counseling came into being. Couples are taught special skills how to communicate lovingly, as a team; with not against; in words, tones and body language.

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 helping your pet feel good and much more! 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 and we end up 'protecting' ourselves through all kinds of defenses. It is inspiring when defenses are acknowledged, come down and the door finally opens revealing our Inner Core; our Authentic Self.

And opening that door is what we want to do. Grieving is one way we can enter, but there are many other ways of reaching our Inner Core. Clients come to me with their issues, and each problem is actually a gateway welcoming us in to make the Inner Core whole again; safe, content, and happy with an overall feeling of well-being. 

All my training, experience and knowledge has made me the therapist I am today. A therapist who welcomes opportunities to integrate any and all fragmented pieces of Self into the wholeness it was meant to be and back to our roots: secure attachment AKA strong bond AKA unconditional love that creates happiness and well-being.

Janice,

Psychotherapist for marriage, individual and family happiness.

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