Janet Wise , LCSW

Janet Wise-Thomas is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than three decades of experience supporting people who have faced chronic illness and various forms of psychological and physical trauma. She has worked with clients across the lifespan, from young adults to seniors, addressing concerns such as anxiety, depression, relationship and family difficulties, community violence, and issues related to gender identity. She brings a culturally attuned perspective to her practice and has trained others in cultural competency, prioritizing a therapeutic relationship marked by compassion, warmth, and responsiveness to each person’s needs.

Her clinical work draws on several evidence-informed methods, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness practices, and Solution-Focused Therapy. She collaborates with clients to set realistic goals and to develop practical strategies for managing symptoms, navigating life transitions, and recovering from trauma. Rejecting a one-size-fits-all model, she tailors coaching and counseling to the unique dynamics of each individual or family constellation.

Janet has also completed intensive training in Pastoral Counseling at Fordham University’s School of Religion and Religious Studies and has provided grief and crisis support in hospital settings such as emergency rooms and intensive care units, as well as pastoral care at The Riverside Church in New York City. She combines clinical skill with empathic support for those grieving losses that were complicated by separation or inability to say goodbye.

Outside of traditional therapy, she is a licensed fitness instructor who teaches yoga, Enerchi (a form of Tai Chi), and cardio-fitness including Cardio Drumming to people of all ages. She views healing as work of mind, body, and spirit and welcomes the opportunity to support people as they pursue greater stability, purpose, and well-being.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Janet integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into her work to help clients clarify personal values and learn skills for accepting difficult thoughts and feelings while taking meaningful action toward a life they value. ACT can be useful for stress, anxiety, and coping with life changes.

She also employs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and replacing them with more adaptive strategies. CBT is often effective for anxiety, depression, sleep and eating concerns, and managing mood symptoms.

Mindfulness-based techniques are woven into her practice to help clients develop present-moment awareness and stress regulation skills. These approaches can support emotional regulation, trauma recovery, and improvements in self-esteem and coping.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Janet works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods best fit their goals, preferences, and life circumstances. She adapts strategies over time and partners with individuals to refine a plan that feels workable and meaningful.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility by making sessions accessible through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options help people fit therapy into busy schedules, continue care during life transitions, and connect with licensed professionals and therapists from locations that are convenient for them.