PuttingFamilyFirst

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

JG Portrait of Janet Giles
Online therapist

Janet Giles

Calm, practical support for parenting and family life

Credentials
LMFT
Experience
21 years
Licensed in
California
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Janet

Janet Giles is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California. She welcomes people who are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, grieving, or struggling with parenting and relationship strains. Her tone is warm and straightforward, aimed at easing the nerves of someone clicking through this page for the first time.

Janet speaks plainly, listens closely, and helps people figure out practical steps they can try between sessions. Janet brings 21 years of clinical experience across different settings.

Background and approach

She has also taught psychology courses as an adjunct professor, including lifespan development and theories of personality. That teaching background shapes how she explains things in therapy so they make sense in everyday life. Her work often focuses on stress and anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, and intimacy-related concerns.

She also addresses caregiver stress, codependency, communication problems, anger, self-esteem, compassion fatigue, and ADHD-related struggles. Janet mixes approaches to match the issue at hand rather than using one fixed method. In practice she commonly draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, strength-based and client-centered ideas, and mindfulness techniques.

She weaves creativity into sessions too, using artful metaphors and practical exercises when helpful. Sessions aim to be collaborative, with small steps and skills people can use between meetings. Janet values the therapeutic relationship and works to make sessions feel comfortable and respectful.

She invites people to take the first step toward change at a pace that fits their life and needs.

How Janet’s Approaches Work Online

Janet commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as a foundation - this approach helps people notice patterns of thought and behavior and try small experiments to change them. It can be useful for anxiety, depression, and managing stress.

She also draws on mindfulness practices to help people build moment-to-moment awareness and reduce reactivity. Mindfulness exercises are short and adaptable to daily life, which fits well with online sessions. Additionally, she incorporates client- and strength-based ideas that focus on a person’s resources and goals rather than only their problems.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist and client review goals, preferences, and life demands and then try approaches that feel like a good fit. Janet treats this as a collaborative process and adjusts methods over time based on what’s helping.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy days, maintain continuity during life changes, and practice new skills between sessions. Licensed professionals can use these formats to guide exercises, teach coping tools, and support steady progress over time.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Janet commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, anger, self-esteem, compassion fatigue, and ADHD. Parenting, relationship, and family matters are also listed among her areas of focus.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
She adapts methods to the person and the problem, often using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, client- and strength-based ideas, and mindfulness practices. The goal is practical change through skills and understanding.
What is her professional background?
She has 21 years of clinical experience in a variety of settings and has taught psychology courses as an adjunct professor.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - LMFT, holding California license number CA LMFT 46298, and practices in California.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can she work with international clients?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can be arranged as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions based on the therapist's listed availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Experience
21 years
Licensed
California
Languages
English

Next step

Talk to Janet

  • Takes a few minutes
  • Nothing to set up just to look
  • Stop at any point