Janel Guinane, LCSW

Janel Guinane is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who helps people coping with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, and parenting strain. She speaks plain, direct language and focuses on practical steps people can use right away. Her approach centers on the person in front of her rather than on giving advice. She began working in residential substance use programs in San Francisco in 1997. That early work led her to earn a Bachelor of Social Work in 2008 and a Master of Social Work in 2010. Over the years she has worked with many different people, including youth who have experienced homelessness and adults with mental health and substance use concerns. Janel now manages a clinic that assesses people for county mental health services and runs a daytime respite center that connects unhoused individuals with housing, food, and healthcare. Her managerial role keeps her grounded in both direct care and systems-level work. Clinically she uses a client-centered, strengths-based, humanistic stance. She also draws on Motivational Interviewing to learn each person's goals and perspective. Janel treats clients as collaborators and aims to help them find clarity and workable next steps. Her ten years of formal experience as an LCSW build on many earlier roles in behavioral health. She offers practical support for issues such as trauma, eating concerns, bipolar disorder, relationship and communication problems, caregiver stress, and body image difficulties.