Janice J Holladay, LPC-S

When I was a kid, it was a big deal to pass the basic swimming test at the local community pool. I couldn’t pass it for a long time, which was especially frustrating since the kid next door, who was a year younger, passed it on the first try. I was the only one who wouldn’t go off the diving board the first time. I liked the water and I could swim, but I was terrified of that diving board. Years later, I eventually went off the board on my own and came back and passed the test—but I couldn’t do it until I was ready. I often think about that when I think about how I show up as a therapist. If therapy is like learning to swim, it’s about learning to move safely in the water and feel steady and confident. Some people are ready to boldly jump off the high dive, and others just dip their toes into the shallow water to start. Either way, it’s about learning to move through your own life in a way that feels steady, safe, and possible. My role in the process is to meet you where you are and help you move at a pace that feels manageable for you, building safety first and confidence over time in a way that fits your experience rather than forcing you into it. With almost 25 years of experience, I’ve been in the water a long time. I may not look or act like the therapist you see on TV, and that’s a good thing. You are unique, and I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. My first goal is to help you recognize that you are the expert in your own life. I approach therapy from the perspective of relationship. We slow down, understand what’s going on for you, and work together to find ways forward that fit your life.