JANICE M CHRISTOPHER MA LPC-S CCTP
Approach to Therapy
Everyone has a story to tell and everyone needs a safe place to tell their story. I believe that personal stories are sacred and are to be given space and allowed to unfold. If you’ve never told your story and don’t know where to begin, I will hold that sacred space for you until you are able. When you’re ready to tell your story, I will listen. The sacred space we create together is free of judgment, shame and criticism. As a Christian psychotherapist, I try to live by the principle of grace received/grace extended. I don’t always get it right...and that’s OK…that’s grace.
Qualifications
I earned my Masters degree in counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary and graduated with honors in December, 2012. I became a licensed counselor in March, 2013 and a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor in January, 2021.
I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and an EMDRIA approved Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist addressing issues relating to trauma, abuse, and sexual abuse, depression, anxiety and relationship discord. In addition to EMDR, I am also trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS).
For my work with couples, I am a certified facilitator for Prepare/Enrich and trained in the Gottman Method.
I am also certified in Palliative Care Chaplaincy with many years of experience assisting patients and families in navigating mental health crises, grief and loss, cancer diagnosis and treatment, chronic illness, organ transplants, and end-of-life issues.
Personal
I am a native Texan and have lived most of my life near the Gulf coast. I have been married for more than 35 years and have two adult sons and a daughter-in-law. I love to read, garden and travel. My idea of a relaxing vacation is reading a book on the balcony of a cruise ship going anywhere.
I spent many years juggling life as a mom, wife and full-time employee while working my way up the corporate ladder to a leadership position with a law firm managing the firm’s finances and human resources. When life presented an opportunity for change, I started my own company helping support retail business owners with inventory control and information technology needs.
Helping people in their business inspired me to pursue a greater knowledge of the helping profession so I entered graduate school to earn a Masters degree that would meet the academic qualifications to become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas. As a Christian, it was important to my learning process to integrate theology with psychology and I was able to do so through the accredited counseling program at Dallas Theological Seminary.
I love to travel internationally and learn of other cultures. One of my most challenging and rewarding experiences was a 4-day hike up the Inca Trail from Cusco to Machu Picchu in Peru. As is our journey in life, much of the Inca Trail was narrow, rocky, uneven, steep, and lonely. I quickly came to realize that no one else would (or could) climb the mountains for me. The only option to reach the end of the Trail was to put one foot in front of the other and to rest when I could go no further. And let me just say, I had to rest…frequently! The Trail guide was there to help me up when I fell and to give me encouragement to get back up on my feet and keep going. Without his help, I may still be stuck on the side of the mountain! It took commitment, self-determination, courage and more than a few tears. Along the way, I met some wonderful people, witnessed unparalleled views and gained insight that can only be achieved through personal struggle.
My curiosity and desire to learn invites exploration which informs my style of counseling. It would be my privilege to accompany you and encourage you on your life’s journey.
