About

Janie Hart, LMFT Marriage & Family Therapist · Irvine, California

You don't have to figure this out on your own. Compassionate, evidence-based therapy to help you understand what's keeping you stuck — and find the power to change it.

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01 The Approach

You may already know what's not working.

Anxious overthinking. Stress and avoidance. Relationship conflict. Habits you can't seem to break. What if you see the pattern, but feel stuck changing it?

Therapy with me is active and focused on real change — not just talking in circles. That means understanding your story, your patterns, your relationships, and what's driving them, so the change actually sticks.

You don't have to figure this out on your own. Together, we'll uncover what's keeping you stuck, down, anxious, or alone. Through compassionate listening, I'll help you feel understood. Through effective methods, I'll help you find the power to change.

If you're ready to do something different, reach out and we'll get started.

02 Who I Work With

If any of this sounds familiar, you're in the right place.

Most people who come to see me are dealing with at least one of the issues below, and often several at once. Life doesn't fit neatly into categories, and neither do people. If you don't see yourself reflected here, don't let that stop you from reaching out. I'd be glad to hear more about what you're facing.

Anxiety & Overthinking

You know the worry that runs in the background of everything. The mind that won't quiet down at 2am. The constant low-grade dread that something is about to go wrong. The work is figuring out what's actually driving it, then building the skills to interrupt the loop.

Depression & Low Mood

Depression doesn't always look like sadness. Sometimes it's the heaviness that makes everything take more effort. Sometimes it's the flatness — the slow erosion of motivation, the loss of interest in things that used to matter. Whatever shape yours takes, the work is figuring out what's holding it in place and rebuilding from there.

Couples & Relationships

By the time most couples reach out, the same fight is happening over and over, or the silence is becoming deafening, or trust has been broken and neither of you knows the way back together. Using EFT, we work on better understanding yourself, your partner, and what is happening beneath the surface when we're not getting along. I'll help you reconnect through interrupting the current pattern and using communication to strengthen your bond.

Habits & Addictions

Patterns you understand but can't seem to break: substance use, alcohol, pornography, screens, food, procrastination, and more. Identify what's driving the habit, and change it using the 3 key types of tools.

Stress & Life Transitions

Career pressure. Parenting strain. Divorce, grief, the kind of life change that doesn't come with a script. When the load gets heavy, the work is figuring out what's actually overwhelming about this specific moment, and building the emotional regulation to move through it without losing yourself.

OCD & Intrusive Thoughts

OCD needs specialized treatment. Generalist therapy often doesn't help — the compulsions and intrusive thoughts taking over your day need methods built specifically for them. I use ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) and Inference-Based CBT, the two evidence-based treatments designed for OCD, to help you step out of the cycle.

03 Training & Methods

The right method for the work in front of us.

For individuals, therapy is more than just talking about problems; it's about creating meaningful change. I use a structured approach that provides a clear path forward while giving you regular opportunities to share feedback about what's working and what isn't. Together, we'll deepen your understanding of yourself, identify patterns that may be holding you back, and build practical tools you can use both during therapy and throughout your life.

For couples, I use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), one of the most researched and effective approaches for strengthening relationships. EFT helps couples understand the deeper emotions and attachment needs that drive their interactions. As we work together, you'll learn to recognize the signals you and your partner are sending, respond to each other more effectively, and create new patterns of connection. The goal isn't simply better communication, it's a stronger, more secure relationship where both partners feel emotionally connected and supported.

TEAM-CBTLevel 3 Certified

A structured form of cognitive behavioral therapy that tracks how you're doing at every session and adjusts the work based on real data. Developed by Dr. David Burns. Level 3 certification is held by a small number of clinicians worldwide. Learn more →

DBTTrained

Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Builds practical skills in four areas — mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and how you show up in relationships. Especially helpful if you feel overwhelmed by intense emotions, or stuck in the patterns that follow them. Learn more →

EFTCouples Therapist

Emotionally Focused Therapy — the gold standard for couples work. Addresses the attachment patterns underneath conflict, disconnection, affairs, and broken trust. Whether you're in open conflict or quietly drifting apart, EFT works on what's underneath. Learn more →

EMDRTrained

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. An evidence-based method for processing trauma — effective for PTSD, single-incident trauma, and the chronic stuck patterns rooted in earlier experience. Learn more →

ERP & I-CBTOCD treatment

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Inference-Based CBT (I-CBT). The two leading evidence-based treatments developed specifically for OCD and intrusive thoughts. They help you step out of the cycle and get your life back. Learn more →

Certified NutritionistAdditional credential

Diet, sleep, and lifestyle interact with mental health more than most people realize. Where it's relevant to what we're working on, I bring this perspective into the conversation.

04 Professional Memberships

Connected to the people pushing this work forward.

This work keeps changing. The evidence base on every method I use keeps developing, and I keep training so my work stays current.

I'm a member of the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT) — the organization founded by Dr. Sue Johnson and the home of the global EFT community. I'm also a member of the Orange County Chapter of CEFT (OCCEFT), the local chapter that organizes regional training and case consultation for EFT clinicians.

I currently practice with the Feeling Good Institute in Irvine — the international training hub for TEAM-CBT founded around Dr. David Burns's work.

05 Where I Practice

In Irvine, and throughout California by telehealth.

We'll work together either in my Irvine office or through secure telehealth sessions available throughout California. Both options are equally effective, so you can choose what works best for your life.

What matters most isn't whether you're sitting across from me or meeting from home — it's showing up consistently and staying engaged in the process.

06 Common Questions

Do you accept insurance?

While I am not in-network with insurance plans, many clients are able to receive partial reimbursement for therapy through their out-of-network benefits. I provide a superbill upon request, and I'm happy to discuss how this process works during your consultation.

What does a first consultation look like?

In our consultation call or video chat, you'll get a chance to describe what's bringing you to therapy now. I'll get to hear what has been going on, then share how I would approach our work together. We'll have time to ask each other a few questions, then decide if this is the best fit for you.

In-person or telehealth — which should I pick?

I offer both in-person sessions in Irvine and secure telehealth sessions throughout California. Both formats are effective, giving you the flexibility to choose what works best for your needs and schedule. Over time, we've found that consistency in therapy is far more important than the format in which it takes place.

How long does therapy with you usually take?

The length of therapy depends on your goals, the challenges you're facing, and what you'd like to accomplish. Once we have a clear understanding of what you're working toward, we can develop a better sense of the timeline. Many clients begin noticing meaningful changes within the first three months of weekly therapy, though every situation is unique. Throughout our work together, we'll regularly discuss your progress and adjust our plan as needed.