Janie Echeverria

I graduated from SDSU in 2004 with a master's degree in Social Work and successfully attained licensure in 2010. I have been a counselor since 2004 in a variety of settings while working in outpatient mental health clinics, working with adults and children with severe psychological conditions. My approach is starting where the client is at and introducing them to the most suitable therapeutic models such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and other models that have shown to be effective in the treatment of psychological conditions.

My approach

My therapy approach is based on the needs and treatment goals of the client. I think it is important to listen to the client's needs and expectations that they have from therapy services. I believe in using models that have been shown to be effective in the management of conditions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and other models known as effective treatment models. At times, I might tailor the use of coping skills accordingly to meet the needs of the clients.

My focus

My ideal client is someone who is consistent with appointments and the rest is history. Making the decision to seek therapy services for most is when life challenges can be overwhelming and are unable to manage on their own. Therapy services need to be client-centered based on their current needs and foremost need to be client-driven at all times.

My communication style

My first goal in therapy is to develop an effective therapeutic relationship while providing a collaborative, goal-oriented, and accepting environment.

My journey to mental healthcare

I wanted a profession where I could make a difference in people's lives, and it all began while I was volunteering for a local resource center that provided a myriad of services for disadvantaged families. At that time, I was working towards obtaining an associate degree in accounting and decided to take an elective course in psychology, the following year I changed majors. I graduated with an associate degree in Behavioral Science and then obtained a bachelor's degree in Psychology followed by a master's degree in Social Work. In addition to academic training, I have been trained in various treatment models over my career as a therapist.

My goals for you

I am oriented towards change and support you in making changes in line with your treatment goals and sometimes progress might present in small steps that lead to personal growth. Successful outcomes are determined by the client and sometimes are not about reaching the goal but about the skills that they have learned that will help them manage future life stressors.

My first session with you

During the first session expect to hear a little about my background, my approach to therapy, and business forms. For the remainder of the session, I want to know more about you and what brings you to seek therapy services. I want to hear more about your story and what led you to seek treatment at this particular time in your life. I want to focus on building a therapeutic relationship by providing non-judgmental and unconditional support during what most find to be the most difficult session when starting therapy services.