Janet Scarborough Civitelli (Sheher)

The pace of life today is stressful. I believe there are systemic aspects of our society that need to change to increase people's overall quality of lives but while we work for macro level change, it is also important to focus on individual well-being so that people are healthy enough to work toward community-level change and then to enjoy the benefits of those improvements. I use mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy, journaling, and hypnosis to help clients manage stress.

I see clients become burned out when there is a misalignment with their values and the situation in which they find themselves. I help clients explore options even when they believe there are no possible better options and then I assist them to make realistic changes to improve their overall life satisfaction.

I completed specialty training that integrated modern/feminist psychodynamic therapy, attachment theory, object relations therapy, and neurobiology. I believe family-of-origin dynamics do matter and do shape adulthood but it is possible to rewire old patterns for a better outcome.

I am convinced by the evidence that mindfulness can improve overall mood, decrease anxiety and depression, and improve health. I teach clients how to become more mindful both in everyday life and as a respite from the stresses and challenges of acute situations.

I am certified as an Executive and Personal Coach, which is a fancy way of saying I help clients with both work and life challenges. Freud said, "Love and work, work and love. That's all there is." If we define both of those in broad terms (I think you can love a lot of different people, things, and causes), I agree with him. As a feminist therapist, I am able to take some helpful concepts from Freud (like the power of the unconscious) and leave the rest.