“Play is our brain's favorite way of learning.” — Diane Ackerman.

“Play isn’t the enemy of learning. It’s learning’s partner. Play is like fertilizer for brain growth.” — Stuart Brown

“Play is basic to all normal and healthy children. It provides pleasure and learning and a minimum of risks and penalties for mistakes.” — Frank Caplan

Janny joined the Olympia Therapy team in March 2023 as a Senior Clinician after working in community mental health and school settings providing counseling to the diverse clinical population of children, teenagers, adults and families for over three years.

Janny has specialized training in: Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT), Sandtray therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Anxiety, Depression, & Trauma (CBT+), Psychodynamic therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and is certified in AutPlay® Therapy.

Sandtray Therapy is a specialized training Janny has chosen because it incorporates play, movement, somatic, and interpersonal neuroscience. She has witnessed firsthand the powerful healing effects of Sand Tray therapy with clients.

Janny has experience helping clients with the following: life transitions, relational concerns, identity development, racial trauma/racial prejudice, immigration/cultural adjustments, intergenerational trauma, trauma, spirituality concerns/church abuse, low self esteem, bullying, depression, social anxiety, anxiety, motivation issues, learning difficulties (e.g. executive function issues), and ADHD (particularly adults).

Prior to becoming a therapist, Janny worked as a teacher for over 10 years in North America and other countries. She taught with students in elementary school, high school, and college as well as interacted with families from many different cultures. Janny especially enjoys helping teens and young adults from immigrant families to recover their racial identity and culture, set emotional boundaries, realize their strengths, build self-esteem, and grow. When not at work, Janny enjoys eating different types of cuisines, particularly Asian cuisine, drinking bubble tea, playing badminton and board games.