Janelle Gervais

Hi there! My name is Janelle Gervais and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in Sacramento, CA working with clients statewide via telehealth. I work with adults, adolescents, children, and family systems and specialize in treating trauma, addiction, depression/anxiety, family conflict, and parenting/behavior management from a humanistic person-centered approach and am trained in a variety of treatment modalities including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT), and Alternatives for Families Cognitive Behavior Therapy (AF-CBT) in order to build genuine connections with my clients and have a multitude of tools at our disposal to help them heal and meet their goals.

My approach

My approach to therapy is based first and foremost on building a genuine connection and relationship with my client based on compassion and recognition that therapy can be an exciting journey but also a terrifying one. From there, I am trained in a variety of treatment modalities aimed at having the most tools at our disposal to find what works. These include Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT), and Alternatives for Families Cognitive Behavior Therapy (AF-CBT).

My focus

I have worked with clients aged 0-21 for the last ten years, and so am very comfortable working with children, families, and adolescents across the spectrum from developmental disorders and ADHD to depression, anxiety, and the search for and creation of one's identity. I am also heavily trauma and addiction focused with my adult clients and often view both through a growth-based and existential lens.

My communication style

I believe in creating an environment that feels authentic, has a natural flow and rapport, and isn't afraid to be filled with humor. My communication style is warm, genuine, and down-to-earth.

My journey to mental healthcare

I have walked my own path of struggle and experienced my own "dark night of the soul." I remember vividly at one of my lowest points, feeling the kind of absolute emptiness and aloneness that looking back, often defines turning points in our lives. I vowed in that moment never again to leave someone alone in that kind of pain. Knowledge of our purpose in life often comes unexpectedly, and being a therapist is more than a career for me, it is my purpose and deeply embedded into who I am and what I value.

My goals for you

I approach it at their own pace. In other words, I don't think we always know what our goals are, especially if we are struggling or in pain, and often "just want to feel better." I think starting simple and building a relationship usually sets the foundation. That being said, in some circumstances (for instance with PCIT), it is important to set concrete goals, and, in this instance, I help my clients by sharing why this is important, and working backward to see where they are and where they want to go (I want my son to follow my directions or reduce aggressive behaviors, etc).

My first session with you

What you can expect during a first session is me getting to know you and letting you get to know me. Generally, this is tailored to the age and personality of the client. With younger clients for example, I often use approaches like a comic book of the clients' interests, family, school, etc. For those a little older, and those comfortable just talking, I'll ask questions about why you decided to take the step of therapy, how you have been feeling, and what is going on internally and externally in your life.