Common questions. Therapy with Janie Hart, LMFT · Irvine, California

Start with a free 15-minute consultation. Booking is handled through Feeling Good Institute, where I currently practice: Book a Consult. At the consultation, we'll talk about what's going on for you, and whether the work I do is the right fit. Then you decide if you'd like to schedule your first session from there.

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.

Yes. If you're reading this, the door is open. Reach out and we'll talk.

It depends on availability when you reach out, but most new clients can typically schedule a first session within one to two weeks of the initial consultation. We'll work out timing together.

That's exactly what the free consultation is for. There's no commitment. We can talk about what's going on, what you've tried, and how I'd approach our work. If you or I decide a different option is better for you, I'll do my best to provide you with referrals or resources for your situation.

We start by understanding your story, your relationships, your patterns. Next we find out where you'd like to see change. Then we use evidence-based methods and tools based on TEAM-CBT, DBT, EFT, and EMDR to find the relief you're looking for.

Different challenges respond to different methods. We figure out the right approach in the first few sessions, based on what's actually going on and what's worked or not worked before. I'm trained in TEAM-CBT, DBT, EFT for couples, EMDR for trauma, and ERP/I-CBT for OCD — and I pull from whichever fits the work in front of us. It's not a one-method-fits-all practice.

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.

You're not alone in that. It's something many of my clients have experienced. Therapy that doesn't land usually stalls in one of two places: it stops at insight without changing the pattern, or it uses an approach that doesn't fit the client or the problem. The work I do is structured, measured, and oriented toward actual change. As we're working on this together, we'll know early whether it's working, and adjust if it isn't.

Both. With individuals, I work on emotion regulation (DBT), harmful thinking patterns (TEAM-CBT), and trauma using EMDR. With couples, I use EFT to help you understand and change patterns of communication that aren't working. This helps couples rebuild connection even for high-conflict dynamics or broken trust.

If you're in immediate danger or having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room. Outpatient therapy isn't the right level of care during an acute crisis — but once stabilized, the work we'd do together can help address what brought you there in the first place. Reach out to me whenever you're ready.

TEAM-CBT is a structured form of cognitive behavioral therapy developed by Dr. David Burns. It tracks how you're doing emotionally at every session and adjusts the work based on real data — so we know whether the therapy is actually moving you forward. I'm Level 3 certified, a credential held by a small number of clinicians worldwide.

DBT — 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 patterns that follow them.

EFT is the gold standard for couples work. It 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 actually underneath — not just the surface fight. I'm a member of the International Centre for Excellence in EFT (ICEEFT) and the Orange County Chapter (OCCEFT).

EMDR — Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing — is an evidence-based method for processing trauma. It's effective for PTSD, single-incident trauma, and the chronic stuck patterns rooted in earlier experience. EMDR can move quickly once we identify the targets.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Inference-Based CBT (I-CBT) are the two leading evidence-based treatments developed specifically for OCD and intrusive thoughts. They help you step out of the compulsive cycle and reclaim the parts of your day OCD has taken. Both require a clinician with specialized training — generalist therapy often doesn't help OCD, which is why specific training matters.

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.

My rate is $250 for a 50-minute session or $375 for an 80-minute session. If finances are a constraint for you, we can discuss a sliding scale or other options in our consultation.

Most therapy sessions are 50 minutes and are typically scheduled once per week. For some individuals and couples, a longer format can be especially helpful, so I also offer 80-minute sessions when it fits a client's preferences or treatment needs. The decision to use longer sessions is always made collaboratively. As clients make progress and begin preparing for the end of treatment, it's also common to gradually reduce the frequency of sessions — for example, moving from weekly sessions to every other week, and sometimes to monthly sessions before completing therapy. Any changes in session length or frequency are discussed together and based on what feels most helpful and comfortable for the client.

24-hour notice for cancellations and rescheduling. Sessions canceled inside 24 hours are charged at the full session rate, unless there's a genuine emergency.

6 Venture, Irvine, CA 92618. I see in-person clients on Mondays and Thursdays, and telehealth clients Monday through Friday.

Yes. Telehealth is available throughout California Monday through Friday.

The difference is mostly logistical: in-person is good if you like leaving your environment to focus; telehealth is good if you're managing schedules with kids, commutes, or remote work. Many clients use a mix and both have been found to be equally effective.

I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (CA #157646), Level 3 TEAM-CBT certified, trained in DBT, EFT for couples, EMDR, and ERP/I-CBT for OCD. I'm a member of ICEEFT and the Orange County Chapter (OCCEFT), and I'm also a certified nutritionist. Full background is on the about page.

I currently practice with the Feeling Good Institute in Irvine — it's the international training hub for TEAM-CBT, founded around Dr. David Burns's work. While I'm at FGI, all scheduling runs through their portal. The therapy itself is with me, on the methods we discuss in your consultation.