"To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly."    
                    ---Henri Bergson 

Janice Shapiro, MA, LMFT California Lic #86051

Psychotherapist for Marriage, Individual and Family Happiness


Certificates earned:
  • Pet Loss and Bereavement  Grief Specialist
  • Animal Assisted Psychotherapy
  • Small Animal Massage Therapist


My Story

My career journey from 4th grade teacher to marriage and family therapist took a lot of twists and turns. Although, believe it or not, it all connects.

Starting the journey as an elementary school teacher, I learned so much about how children absorb, learn, and develop. My first pivotal change occurred during parent-teacher conferences. After the regular part of "How your child is doing", parents would tell me about their family story: the history, struggles, heartaches and joys. They would tell me ALL. I began to see my students in a new light, as family members. I was drawn to the field of marriage and family therapy. 

My second pivotal change occurred while working as a therapist. I was able to connect behaviors my clients wanted to change to past negative experiences. And so my motto became: "Whatever you have learned, you can unlearn and learn new ways of being," In other words, it is possible to make changes. 

My third pivotal change occurred when I became certified as a pet loss and bereavement counselor. I heard such a strong bond when listening to my clients tell of their loss. As I studied the human-animal bond, I saw the value in animal-assisted psychotherapy and became certified. 

My fourth and most recent pivotal change occurred as I walked my dog, Ranger. I noticed that strangers would come up and ask permission to pet him. After a joyful greeting of jumps, slobbers and licks (from him), they actually thanked ME for letting them pet my dog. This happened too many times to ignore. While researching petting dogs, I found canine massage. I became certified as a small animal massage therapist. This led to the creation of Intentional small animal Massage Psychotherapy, a combination of companion animal massage and psychotherapy to relieve human depression, anxiety and stress. 

Lesson learned.....

Have no regrets. You can take the positives from each of your experiences (good and bad) and make those pivotal changes which will lead to continued successes.

​Janice







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