Managing the Stigma of Holistic Counseling with Janis Cohen

Feb 2, 2022

Have you ever worried that you will be judged by others because you use holistic strategies in therapy? Do you feel like you are in the “holistic closet” due to people’s misperceptions about holistic modalities? Can you stand in confidence of your work?

MEET JANIS COHEN

Janis R. Cohen, LCSW, is internationally known as The Intuitive Therapist. She has worked with children, adults, couples, and families for almost three decades. Janis combines her extensive clinical expertise with psychic and intuitive gifts of clairvoyance, empathy, and mediumship. She uses this unique skill set to get to the root of a challenge with razor-sharp accuracy and to offer specific and effective strategies to resolve her client’s problems.

In addition, Janis offers Intuitive Therapeutic Psychic Readings to people who want clarity and direction for their most pressing issues around money, love, relationships, and health as well as connecting them with loved ones who have crossed over.

Janis has authored articles in PINK Magazine, Associated Press, and has published her own columns in local newspapers such as The Jewish Times, Aquarius Magazine, and Conscious Living Magazine. Her podcast, The Intuitive Therapist, merges therapy with intuition, spirituality, and metaphysics.

Visit Janis Cohen’s website and connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

IN THIS PODCAST:

Stand in your confidence
Stepping into your gifts
Find your holistic community

Stand in your confidence

I work with clients all the time who I help [to] stand in their confidence … if you are able to help people with the gifts and skill sets that you have, shout that from the rooftops, and you know what? The right people are going to come to you and support you, and the right people are going to come to be your clients. You’re going to find your groove. (Janis R. Cohen)

You need to stand in your confidence in what it is that you do. Do not be apologetic or uncertain.

Most people have interests in the work that you openly enjoy doing, so appreciate your skills and abilities and put them to good use.

It may not be an easy journey in the beginning because this work is not for everybody, but if it is for you, then have passion for the work that you do and commit to expanding your skills and expertise.

Stepping into your gifts

One of the first things to do, if you are feeling nervous about your work, is to address the fear that you feel may arise if you do fully step into your gifts. What is scary about explaining your work to people?

To me, getting comfortable with your gifts is [about] understanding the fact that it is who you are, and you have every right to not want to … publicize it, however, you are sacrificing who you are. You are risking not being able to influence and model for other people standing in your truth. (Janis R. Cohen)

Judgment is a big piece that people fear, but counter that by asking what if it helps people? What if you can teach people in your life the things that you know and do well? They can become some of your best supporters.

Find your holistic community

Surround yourself with people who support and inspire you.

Talk to other people and build those connections that support because [it helps to know] other people who … experience this, who also promote themselves and have a business with whatever their holistic strategies are. (Chris McDonald)

Seek out colleagues, mentors, and advisors who either are in your current position or have been there who can help support you.

Join various groups and meet-ups, search for knowledge and you will find those who have similar interests and stories to yours.