Janise Zayas

My communication style

I very much prefer to utilize humor when I can. Especially in the beginning, to help establish rapport. This is only to help ease into appointments. I do my best to be in the emotional spaces that my clients are in and reflect that understanding back to them. I utilize a lot of empathy and validation to help my clients with their confidence.

My journey to mental healthcare

I have previously worked in short term psychiatric inpatient hospitals, emergency rooms and on crisis teams (for 5 years) so I have learned extensively on how to forge quick connections with people and begin building trust in ways that help my clients feel both at ease and safe. I have been working in private practice specifically for 5 years now.

My goals for you

This depends a lot on the client themselves. I am open to taking a very regimented and step-oriented approach if that is what they want to do. If not, I am open to tackling issues as they appear and tailoring goals around each issue. I always encourage my clients to be productive between sessions, even if they are just making small adjustments.

Our first session

I always emphasize to my clients right up front that therapy should be comfortable and inviting. They are free to see someone else if they don't think it's a good fit. For the session content I prioritize talking about what's going on currently in someone's life and then working backwards from there. A sort of fill-in-the-blanks as we go approach.

I identify as...

• Female
• Hispanic or Latinx
• Spiritual