About Janet
Janet Hughes is a licensed clinical social worker who offers calm, practical support for people feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, stress, or major life shifts. She speaks plainly and works together with each person to find steps that feel doable. Janet encourages honest conversation and gentle challenge to help people move forward.
Janet brings more than 21 years of experience helping people with depression, anxiety, substance concerns, trauma, and grief. She also supports people dealing with relationship questions, intimacy, anger, self-esteem, and career changes.
Background and approach
Her practice includes attention to LGBT issues, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and non-monogamous relationship dynamics. Her approach centers on cognitive behavioral therapy, where thoughts and behaviors are examined and practical changes are tested in everyday life. She uses mindfulness techniques to help people notice stress and regulate emotion in the moment.
Motivational interviewing is part of her work when someone wants to build momentum for change. Janet holds an MD and is licensed as an LCSW-C and LICSW. She trained in social work and has practiced across Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia over two decades.
That background informs a straightforward, empathic style in sessions. Sessions focus on collaborative problem solving and short-term goals when that fits the person's needs. Janet offers a mix of listening, clear feedback, and simple exercises to try between sessions.
People who want to address anxiety and related life challenges will find a practical, steady partner in her.
Therapeutic approaches and online options
Janet uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help people notice unhelpful thought patterns and try new behaviors in everyday situations; this approach often suits worries, anxiety, and mood problems. She also integrates mindfulness therapy to teach simple attention and breathing practices that reduce reactivity and increase focus in stressful moments. Motivational interviewing is used when someone needs to build motivation and clarify goals for change. Choosing the right approach is a joint process. The therapist will talk with the person about current difficulties, personal goals, and what feels most helpful. Together they test methods and adjust the plan as progress and preferences become clear. Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility. Video sessions allow a typical conversational format and visual cues. Phone sessions can be a good fit when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging make it possible to get brief support, share updates, or schedule around a busy day. These options help people fit therapy into work, travel, or caregiving routines while keeping the same therapeutic focus.Questions people ask
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What this therapist works with
Most often
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
Also listed
- ADHD
- Anger management
- Bipolar disorder
- Career difficulties
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- LGBT
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Self esteem
- Trauma and abuse
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 21 years
- Licensed
- District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia
- Languages
- English
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