Janelle McCarthy, LGPC, is a neurodiversity and LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist who works with children, adolescents, and their caregivers. When you work with Janelle, you and your family will receive compassionate care that is informed by the relational neurosciences and Child-Centered Play Therapy. This means you’ll have the chance to learn about your child’s brain–what’s it doing, how it’s related to the baffling behaviors that brought you here, and how to work with it–and she’ll attune to your child’s evolving needs. Janelle is currently working towards her RPT (registered play therapy credential).

 

Prior to becoming a therapist, Janelle had the privilege of serving children in a self-contained special education class. From her time in this role, Janelle honed her ability to coordinate with team members to best meet kids’ needs; she utilizes this skill now to communicate with caregivers, schools, doctors, and adjacent therapists. She also gained a wealth of lived experience around presuming competence and treating all people–regardless of the behavioral, emotional, or general day-to-day life challenges they’re experiencing–with dignity. Janelle has translated that into therapeutic work by dismantling ableism by teaching families about neurotypical privilege and by using affirming practices in sessions.

 

Janelle understands that therapy is vulnerable work that cannot be rushed; she is committed to creating therapy experiences that honor that and that promote regulation. She views her role in the therapeutic relationship as that of a companion who has a treasure trove of questions, ideas, and resources to share with you. While she’s the therapy expert, the patient is the expert of their lived experience and she knows finding “good fit” solutions and supports is a collaborative process. 

 

Janelle is a huge Harry Potter fan, has a fondness for chai tea, and enjoys going on walks with her friends and family. 

 

Janelle is supervised by Dr. Jaclyn Halpern, as well as by Laura Morlok, LCPC, LPC, RPT-S.