Janelle lives with her family in the north Edmonds and Mukilteo area and was drawn to working in Mill Creek because of its welcoming, small-town feel. “I grew up in Red Wing, Minnesota, which is a small tourist town along the Mississippi River,” she says. “That sense of community has always felt natural to me, so working somewhere like Mill Creek feels like a great fit.”

Since opening her practice, she has found a strong network of support among local businesses and organizations. “I’ve really enjoyed the way small businesses support each other here,” Janelle says. “The Chamber of Commerce does a wonderful job creating opportunities for businesses to connect and support one another.” She also values the diversity of the community. “Working in a culturally and economically diverse community gives us opportunities to learn from each other and support one another while we live and work in shared spaces,” she points out.

At home, Janelle stays busy with her husband, their two children, and two dogs. Their oldest, who is 19, is currently attending Oregon State University, while their 17 year old is still at home. As a family they enjoy outdoor activities and traveling, with Hawaii and Italy among their favorite destinations so far.

Janelle’s journey into the counseling profession began with a deeply personal experience. Growing up, she watched her mother care for her grandmother, who was living with ALS. Seeing the challenges families face during difficult times shaped her desire to help others. “That experience led me to major in social work,” she explains. Her career began as a social worker in a skilled nursing home, supporting residents and families navigating complex health situations. After several years she decided to deepen her understanding of family relationships and earned a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She later worked with the Alzheimer’s Association, helping support family caregivers.

Over the years, Janelle also maintained a private counseling practice while working in related fields. Eventually, those experiences came together to form Orca Counseling.

Today, the practice is built around a simple goal: creating a welcoming space where people feel safe, supported, and understood. “We want all people to feel welcome at Orca Counseling,” Janelle says. “As a team, we value being open-minded, resilient, curious, and authentic, which also happens to form the acronym ORCA.” Those values guide the work of the entire counseling team. Each clinician brings their own area of expertise and works within their specific training and scope of care, something Janelle believes helps therapists provide their best care while also preventing burnout.

Therapists at Orca Counseling provide a range of evidence-based approaches including EMDR, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, sex therapy, family therapy, and couples therapy. The team approaches every client with a strength based and trauma informed perspective.

Orca Counseling also helps support the next generation of therapists through a supervision program for new clinicians led by Dr. Michael Freeman, a Mill Creek resident who has been supervising therapists in Washington since 2016.

Community involvement is another important part of the practice’s philosophy. Orca Counseling regularly participates in Chamber of Commerce events and recently sponsored the Mill Creek Health and Wellness Fair. The team plans to continue supporting community events such as the Mill Creek Festival. Through their work, Janelle and her team see many of the challenges individuals and families are navigating today. Common concerns include anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, relationship struggles, parenting challenges, substance use, and stress related to work or world events. Many people also seek counseling simply to better understand themselves and strengthen their emotional well-being.

Janelle hopes more people will recognize that counseling is not only for times of crisis. “It’s for everyone,” she says. “You don’t have to experience something huge or extremely difficult to want to improve yourself or your relationships. And if you have experienced a major trauma, you are not alone. There are ways to move through life feeling calmer, more whole, and more content.” For those who feel hesitant about starting counseling, she encourages patience while searching for the right therapist.

“Finding the right therapist can take time,” she says. “Many offer free consultations so you can explore whether they might be a good fit. Mill Creek has many great therapists, both in person and online, and we’re always happy to help people find the care that works best for them.”

When she is not working, Janelle enjoys simple ways to recharge like spending time at the beach, walking her dogs, working out, and reading. And one thing people might be surprised to learn? She finds dramatic reality television surprisingly relaxing!

To learn more or to get in contact, visit their website: orcacounseling.com