About Janet Voss, Psychotherapist
Janet Voss is licensed to provide counseling services to clients in the State of Illinois. She practices as a Psychotherapist in Chicago’s North Shore, Chicago metro area, and surrounding suburbs. Janet and has been working with Individuals, Couples and Families since 2001.
Janet obtained a B.S. in Business from Iowa State and an M.A./Counseling Psychology from Trinity International University and Certification as an Addictions and Substance Abuse Specialist, Art Therapist , .
Janet began specializing in Emotionally Focused Individual, Couple and Family therapy in 2013. She also provides Individual and Group Supervision for therapists who are learning EFCT Couples Therapy and EFFT Family Therapy.
Why I Am a Therapist
I have always been aware of the positive impact nurturing and reliable adults can have on a child to protect and enhance their growth, health, self esteem and wellbeing all through childhood. When children face losses, traumatic experiences or endure neglect or abuse, having the support from even one reliable adult is a powerful buffer to lessen the impact of adverse experiences. When children are left alone to face painful experiences, they have to find ways to cope in isolation or rely on extreme strategies to survive. When children do not have a way to process adverse or neglectful experiences, their view of themselves as being valuable and worthy of love is threatened or damaged.
Attachment theory is founded on the belief that we are strengthened through safe and secure connections with other humans not just in childhood, but into adulthood and all through our lives. I see my role with you is one of a relationship mentor, or a kind of communication consultant to help you, you and your partner, or you and your family understand and overcome what is interfering with your having closer and more connected and rewarding relationships.
What inspires me in my work is seeing couples and family relationships become more loving, more secure and more intimate. As old injuries are healed and old patterns are restructured with new and more vulnerable communication; love and understanding and safety grows.
Janet Voss’s Certifications and Additional Training
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (Illinois)
Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC in Illinois)
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Certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist and Supervisor (ICEEFT)
Certified Emotionally Focused Family Therapist and Supervisor (ICEEFT)
Certified Emotionally Focused Individual Therapist and Supervisor (ICEEFT)
Advanced Psychodynamic Clinical Fellowship (University of Chicago)
Art Therapy Certification, Northwestern University
Healing Affairs and Betray Trauma Trainings
Couples Therapy and Individual Therapy Trauma Trainings
Polyvagal Theory Trainings
Sexual Intimacy and Couples Therapy trainings
Attachment Injury Relationship Repair Trainings
Addiction and Emotionally Focused Therapy trainings
ADHD Impacted Relationships and EFT trainings
Areas of Special Clinical Focus for Individuals
Depression, Anxiety and Mood Disorders
Relationship difficulties with significant others or extended family members
Addiction or Compulsive patterns of Substance use
Prolonged; or un-resolving grief reactions from significant losses, life crisis, life change or transitions
Overcoming traumatic incidents, sexual assault or harassment, healing the effects of childhood abuse or neglect
Relationships with one or both partners or Family members have Substance Abuse or “Misuse” difficulties or who are in Recovery
12-Step support, relapse prevention, stress management, Issues in long-term recovery
Faith sensitive counseling
Areas of Special Clinical Focus for Couples
Couples who have grown apart over time. One or both is aware of a growing distance and their attempts to be closer have not been successful. Sometimes one or both partners starts to lose hope.
Are experiencing high levels of conflict. Arguing may escalate quickly, and involve name calling, yelling, or defensiveness. Couples may notice a predictable and painful pattern to their fighting.
Whose fights end without being repaired. Sometimes couples get stuck in a pattern of intense arguments that end without being resolved. One or both partners may just stop talking to each other for a while or even isolate for hours or even days at a time.
Partners who experienced trauma, childhood abuse or neglect sometimes experience intense emotional reactions from interactions and conflicts in their marriage that can be confusing and painful.
When one or both partners is involved in a habitual pattern abusing alcohol or drugs, resulting in a loss of closeness or safety in the relationship.
When an affair, or an emotional attachment has damaged the trust or exclusivity in the relationship.
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