Janet Plankenhorn , LMFT

Janet Plankenhorn is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California with 12 years of professional experience. She focuses on family and relationship conflict, supporting young adults, and helping people navigate grief, life transitions, anxiety, depression, and women’s issues. Janet brings a relational perspective to her work and pays attention to patterns that can keep people stuck, helping clients name and shift habits that no longer serve them.

Her approach emphasizes creating an open and nonjudgmental space where thoughts and feelings can be explored. Janet works collaboratively to identify concerns, clarify goals, and develop practical steps toward change. She encourages clients to take the first step toward healing and recognizes the courage it takes to begin therapy.

Whether someone is facing shifting roles in family life, coping with loss, or managing persistent worry and low mood, Janet aims to offer steady, attentive care. As an experienced California LMFT, she combines clinical training with a warm, pragmatic style to support clients through difficult transitions and relationship challenges.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Janet Plankenhorn uses client-centered therapy to create a respectful, empathetic space where a person’s own goals and values guide the work. This approach is helpful for building self-awareness, strengthening relationships, and addressing life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and behavioral patterns and teaching practical skills to manage anxiety, low mood, and stress. Solution-Focused Therapy emphasizes setting clear, achievable goals and using strengths and past successes to move forward, which can be effective for resolving specific problems and improving coping.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Janet works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adjusts strategies as progress is made.

Online therapy offers flexible access to care through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options allow clients to connect from different locations and choose the format that fits their schedule and communication style, making it easier to receive consistent support while managing work, family, and daily responsibilities.