Journey of a Mother and Therapist

EPISODE 131
From Curing to Understanding and Support:
The Journey of a Mother and Therapist.
With Janeen Herskovitz.

Play the Episode…

Show Notes

Janeen Herskovitz has worn two hats over two decades, as a mother of an adult son and a daughter who are neurodivergent, and as a therapist and former special educator who supports families, parents and neurodivergent individuals. Initially, she took the path of attempting to cure her son and questioned if vaccinations caused her son’s autism, but then evolved into following a different path in understanding of her children’s conditions. She now uses her experiences and her training as a therapist to support others. Barry, Dave and Janeen discuss her journey.

Learn more about her work on Autism Blueprint

Featuring

Janeen Herskovitz

Janeen Herskovitz

Janeen Herskovitz is a licensed mental health counselor in the state of Florida and owner of Puzzle Peace Counseling, LLC. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Rowan University in New Jersey, (1995) and her Masters of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Webster University (2010). She has been married to her husband, Joe since 1995, and together, they have two adult neurodivergent children. Janeen’s private practice, Puzzle Peace Counseling is located in Jacksonville, Florida and helps autism families and neurodivergent individuals live more peaceful lives. Her podcast, Autism Blueprint, covers a variety of topics surrounding autism & neurodivergence in the home.

Follow her work on Instagram

Autism Blueprint on Youtube

Learn more on Puzzle Peace Counseling

…and Continue the Discussion

Do you have a book or podcast club? If so, you may use this discussion guide to facilitate a conversation about this episode.

  1. Janeen states that she “went from a mom who broke the bank to try “cure” her son”, but then evolved into taking a very different path. How has her journey impacted Janeen personally and in her professional practice? Do her experiences resonate with yours, or with people and families you know?

 

  1. It has only been in recent years that co-occurring mental health issues have received far more attention than in the past in the autistic and ADHD communities. What are some of the most common issues that individuals and families bring to Janeen’s practice? What are your experiences with individuals who experience co-occurring conditions, or your own experience as an individual or in your family?

 

  1. Janeen states that her practice “helps autism families and neurodivergent individuals live more peaceful lives”. What does she mean by this, and given your own experiences, do you see such a goal as a priority?

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Music

Matt Savage, courtesy of Savage Records

Matt Savage is an autistic jazz musician, composer, and bandleader. Matt has collaborated with jazz greats like Chick Corea, the Ellington All Stars, Chaka Khan, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Watson, Clark Terry, Jimmy Heath, Jason Moran, Arturo O’Farrill, John Pizzarelli, Joshua Redman, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jon Faddis, Jerry Bergonzi. Donny McCaslin, and more. He has recorded more than a dozen records and graciously contributes the music for Uniquely Human.

Production and Sound Design

ELEVATEDSTUDIO

Uniquely Human: The Podcast is produced, engineered, and edited by Elevated Studio in Denver, Colorado. Owned and operated by co-host Dave Finch, Elevated Studio produces digital media assets and content strategies for the electronics, entertainment, and lifestyle industries.