Janelle Esposito, LPC, EMDR

Janelle serves as a LPC on the Avenues Staff.  She received her Master of Arts in Counseling from Covenant Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from Christopher Newport University. Janelle is a trained EMDR therapist. Relationship-based and client-centered, Janelle is excited to collaborate with each person to heal and grow in their own way– whether it is engaging in expressive arts therapy, story work, or building skills to help them thrive.

Janelle has worked in community-based therapeutic services, school therapy, with adults in private practice and crisis intervention– from these diverse practices, Janelle brings to the table a broad experience, working with people of different ages and backgrounds. Janelle is attachment-based and believes in the power of expression: Janelle is in the process of being certified in Integrated Treatment of Complex Trauma for Adolescents (ITCT-A) and in the alternative education track to be a registered drama therapist through the North American Drama Therapy Association. Janelle brings in tools from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Somatic therapies to help people cope with the most difficult emotions life brings up– so individuals may have a variety of tools in their toolbox to increase their confidence in their ability to cope.

“The counseling relationship is an experience and experiment of safe community. It offers a place for a person to be heard and understood, a place for healing to begin so healing can continue in community. Whether your life has been shattered by abuse, or are working through a relationship problem, I am here to provide a safe relationship. I believe in the dignity of every single human being, and I bring that into the counseling room, seeing you with unconditional positive regard, and collaborating with you to discover your full, embodied humanity.”

Specialties and demographics:
I treat adult individuals, adolescents, children (8 and up), couples with a holistic focus on the following issues:
Anxiety and Depression
Trauma and abuse
Relational Conflict
Adjustment and transition
Grief and loss
Faith/doubt/spirituality
Struggling with Singleness
Self-Esteem
Work and Career Issues
Family-of Origin/Family Dynamics
Body Image