Dr. Janet Hoy-Gerlach

I specialize in supporting veterinary and animal welfare professionals navigating burn out, compassion fatigue, moral injury, and occupational burnout; pet parents grieving losses; late-identified AuDHD women; and high achievers. I am compassionate, committed to using evidence-based and evidence-supported practices, and approach each client as an individual with unique needs, strengths, and preferences. I hold a PhD in social work and practiced as a tenured professor and mental health researcher before returning full-time to clinical work. I also have extensive experience in veterinary social work. Currently, I practice in-person in Pittsburgh's South Hills (Mt Lebanon) and via telehealth across Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Therapy with me is collaborative, at your pace,

and grounded in research evidence. I’m neuro-affirming, trauma-informed and aware, and safe and affirming for LGBTQA+ individuals. I’m mindful of structural and system-level stressors and injustices impact mental health and wellbeing. I

primarily use two evidence-based practices: Trauma-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (TF-ACT) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). I center relational attunement and safety, and integrate somatic tools in our sessions to help support your nervous system. I also draw on interpersonal neurobiology and attachment theory, as well as feminist, culturally sensitive, and anti-oppressive frameworks. My style is gentle, direct, and deeply respectful of your autonomy. Working as a team, we'll help you build insight, self-compassion, and move toward what matters most to you.

Our first session together will be a collaborative conversation, not an intake checklist. I want to understand what you're going through, what's most important to you, and what kind of support would actually feel helpful. You don't need to have your story organized beforehand or know exactly what you want from therapy - that's part of what we’ll figure out together. And if after our first meeting you feel we're not the right fit for whatever reason, I'll help you find someone who is.