Hi, I’m Janine Piernas, LMFT
"I believe most relationships can be repaired, when both people are willing to do real work, with real guidance. That's what I'm here for."
15+ years working with couples
Pepperdine University — M.A. Clinical Psychology, MFT emphasis
CA License #105849 — Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, California
Why I do this work
I became a couples therapist because I believe that the relationship between two people is one of the most powerful forces in a person's life; for better or for worse. I've spent over 15 years sitting with couples in their hardest moments: after affairs, after years of silence, after fights that left both partners wondering if it was worth it anymore.
What I know with certainty is this: most couples don't need to divorce. They need a guide, a structure, and the right tools — applied at the right moment. I became that guide. And I built a practice around the kinds of intensive, focused experiences that actually move the needle, rather than slow, open-ended conversations that leave couples stuck.
I'm not afraid to ask the hard questions. I will challenge you. And I will be in your corner every step of the way.
How I do this work
Gottman Method — Research-based tools for communication, trust, and lasting change
EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) — Rebuild secure emotional attachment between partners
Couples Intensives — Deep-dive 4-8 hour sessions for faster, focused breakthroughs
Affair Recovery — Structured, compassionate support after betrayal
I might be the right therapist for you, if…
You've been through an affair and don't know how to begin healing
You feel more like roommates than partners — and you miss each other
You've tried couples therapy before but felt like nothing really changed
You want structure, tools, and honest guidance — not just a space to vent
You don't want to divorce — you want to rebuild, and you're willing to do the work
You need more than 50 minutes a week — you want an intensive experience
A little about me, outside the office
I've been with my husband for over 21 years, and I'm a mom of three, so I know, firsthand, what it means to juggle a career, a relationship, kids, and all the beautiful chaos that comes with it. I know what it's like when your relationship gets put last on the list. And I know how quickly that distance can grow if you don't tend to it.
That lived experience shapes how I work. I'm not just a therapist who studied relationships, I'm someone who has invested in my own, every day. I bring that realness into the room with every couple I see.
Ready to take the first step?
A free 30-minute consultation is the easiest way to find out if we're a good fit, no commitment required.