HI! we're the women rise team!

We are a group of women who truly believe in the power of connection, healing, and wellness. We are sisters, mothers, daughters, wives, professionals, and caregivers. Each of us has our own personal story of RISING through obstacles, set-backs, and real struggles along our life journeys. Our passionate dedication to supporting other women through this journey of life is what brings us together.  As a team, we have come together to further this mission. 

Get to know us!

(click a headshot to learn more!)

Our Approach

We embark on a journey with you toward wellness by working compassionately, empathically, and collaboratively with you, utilizing an integrative approach that is tailored specifically to your needs.

On this journey, we will examine your needs and concerns through the lens of whole-person care—mind, body, heart, and soul. Considering and addressing each of these areas and their integration can help in the process of creating lasting change and growth. 

Some of the therapies our therapists may use include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Trauma-focused therapy, or Solution-Focused Therapy. As a boutique center, we go beyond therapy and provide general wellness services with vetted and trusted providers. Our Wellness Team utilizes a variety of approaches that honor the whole person including: Clinical Functional Nutrition, Yoga, Massage Therapy, and a Doula/Midwife Assistant for education and support. On your journey to wellness, we will support you in finding the practices that will be most restorative and helpful to you.

Janiel L. Henry, Psy.D.: CEO, Founder, Clinical Director, and Licensed Psychologist #28724

Authenticity. Realness. Compassion. Professionalism—These are some of my highest values. Within my approach, I deeply honor the balance of these values and actively bring them into the space.

I am most passionate about restoring hope to women across the lifespan on their journey to wholeness and wellness—No matter what they are facing in this season of their life. This includes being an advocate and support within a safe therapeutic relationship by using a relational and strengths-based style.  

Within the area of mental health, I have had over 16 years of experience working in some capacity both nationally and in international settings including South America, the Caribbean, and Africa. This work expanded my understanding of intersectionality and the contextual factors contributing to one’s health and overall well-being--which often play an important role in therapy.

Advocating for women’s holistic health and wellness and serving both my local community and global community in the form of professional consultations, workshops, and speaking engagements are also passions I enjoy.  I love staying current on the latest research in the field and have committed myself to a lifelong process of learning, development, and growth. In my free time, you'll find me spending time with my friends and family, exploring new places, cooking international foods, attending a cultural festival or event, or enjoying the great outdoors.

EDUCATION:
Psy.D., Clinical Psychology, Florida School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Tampa  
M.A., Clinical Psychology, Florida School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Tampa 
B.S., Psychology-Counseling Emphasis, Oakwood University.
B.A., Spanish, Oakwood University, 

SPECIALTIES: Women's Mental Health, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), Premenstrual Exacerbation of Underlying Disorders (PME/PMM), Psychological aspects of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders during Pregnancy, Prenatal, and Postpartum periods 

STRENGTHS: Compassionate, Thoughtful, Creative, Resilient, and uniquely balances Authenticity with Professionalism.

SHE-RO/SHE-ROES: Every  woman that has been a part of my village, all of the amazing women advocating for women's health across the globe, and all of the women I am honored to support along their personal growth journey. 

Meet Her:

Maaria Shaikh, M.S, LMFT (#93664):Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

I have had over 8 years of experience in the mental health field. I believe therapy is a safe place to explore and navigate what needs to change in order to find healing and gain a sense of deeper understanding, acceptance, and comfort. I have a passion for helping women and dedicate my efforts to have my clients feel a sense of belonging, acceptance, understanding, and recognition as they continue on their journey of life while working on processing, healing, and becoming evolved. Creating this safe space is necessary in the process of facilitating honest vulnerability and exploration of one's behaviors, underlying issues, and matters of the heart that may be impeding the functioning in different areas of one's life. 

As a therapist I believe it is imperative for my clients to feel a genuine and authentic connection to foster progress and growth. I strongly believe that our thoughts, emotions/ feelings are connected to our behaviors.

With my experience working with a range of diverse populations and being trained in different therapeutic modalities, I have learned there is not a one size fits all approach. I utilize an individualized approach (e.g TF-CBT, ART, etc.) tailored to the unique needs of my clients-- together we can explore and understand the layers of past experiences, circumstances, trauma, grief/loss and events that have influenced current issues/ behaviors in order to help you understand yourself more deeply so that you can experience healing, optimism, self-acceptance and therefore lead a more fulfilling life. In my free time, I love spending time with my loved ones, watching a good show/movie, and working out.

EDUCATION:
M.S. Counseling Psychology, emphasis in Depth Psychology, Pacifica Graduate Institute, Santa Barbara, CA.
B.A. Psychology, California State University, Los Angeles

SPECIALTIES:
Young adults, LGBTQ+, trauma, grief/loss, anxiety and depression, relational issues, adjustment issues, phase of life issues, crisis intervention, self-harm, at-risk/high risk individuals, risk assessments.

STRENGTHS: Compassionate, Determined, Passionate, Resilient, loves to keep herself open-minded and humble in this journey of life in order to continuously evolve. 

SHE-RO/SHE-ROES: My beloved mother. 

Meet Her:

Nicole Paredes, MSW, LCSW (#69678): Licensed Clinical Social Worker. 

I have 10 years of experience in the mental health field and have dedicated my career to helping others discover healing to cultivate emotional resilience. I provide Humanistic and Trauma Informed therapy with the integration of grounding techniques, Internal Family Systems techniques, and the Compassionate Inquiry approach to foster recovery from past experiences and patterns.

I believe that everyone has the power to heal and develop a loving inner voice and a caring relationship with one’s self. This innate power is unlocked when our safety needs are met and we feel acceptance. In addition, Strengths-based and Solution Focused strategies are offered to support and nurture personal empowerment and alignment with ones highest good.

It is an honor to offer guidance to women as they embark on a journey of self-discovery, develop a deep sense of self-acceptance, and connect with their authentic desires and needs. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with loved ones in nature, meditating, yoga, reading, photography, and creating art. 

EDUCATION: California State University, San Bernardino: Master of Social Work, specialization in Mental Health. California Polytechnic State University, Pomona: B.A. Psychology.

SPECIALTIES: Trauma (Chronic, Acute, Complex/Relational), Anxiety & Mood Disorders, Chronic Illness, Grief/Loss, Self-Esteem, Advocacy, Mindfulness, Somatic Awareness, Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM) Level One

STRENGTHS: Compassion, kindness, warmth, sense of humor, empathy, authenticity, wisdom, open minded and holistic health oriented. Specialized experience with young women and older adult women assisting with transitions and phase of life issues. Certified Reiki Practitioner. 

SHE-RO/SHE-ROES: Frida Kahlo and Clarissa Pinkola Estes

Meet Her:

La Kiesha Davis: Women’s Wellness Practitioner, Doula, and Certified Midwife Assistant.

My holistic journey began professionally 10 years ago and has grown into a complete lifestyle and passion. As a birth worker, I have attended 70 births in various settings including homes, birth centers, and hospitals. Throughout my own life’s journey starting at an incredibly young age of three years old, I have both fallen deeply in love with all things holistic and gathered various skills that have made me the woman I am today. My intention is to teach women to know and understand their worth and individuality by providing them hope and faith in themselves. By integrating my knowledge of both western medicine as well as complementary and alternative medicine, I am able to initiate self-efficacy for women throughout their lifespan and birth experiences. In my free time, you will find me at the beach, hiking, spending time with my family and friends, and always with a cup of tea. 

SPECIALTIES: Women’s Holistic Wellness, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Birth Work, Lifestyle changes to promote health and healing 

EDUCATION: Ashford University: B.A Complementary & Alternative Health, DONA Training: Doula, Nizhoni Institute of Midwifery: Midwifery Program, American College of HealthCare Sciences: Graduate Certificate in Holistic Nutrition, (Pending) M.S Complementary & Alternative Medicine

STRENGTHS: I am intuitive, gentle, and naturally in tune with the human body and nature. I speak directly to the heart of a condition to initiate holistic healing and wellness. I am a teacher of female harmony, mind, body, and spirit. I cultivate the desire to be healthy and in-tune with oneself.

SHE-RO/SHE-ROES:
All women are awe-inspiring and beautiful in their own way, however, there are two that come to mind that are my favorites. The first being my little sister Jene’t. We lost our mom when we were young, I was 22 and she was 16. Jene’t catapulted into adulthood and overcame extreme heartache and the best and worst of life's obstacles. Although being younger than me, she has taught me so much about being a quality, compassionate, and healthy human. The other amazing woman I admire is Tracee Ellis Ross, she is not only a great actress, she has created multiple businesses that represent who she is as a black woman. Ms. Ross has been a voice and advocate for injustice and utilizes her platform to speak for the people in our communities. She is both beautiful and intelligent, she has inspired me to always be authentically and unapologetically myself.

Meet Her:

Tara Durden, MS, RDN: Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist

I have almost a decade of experience in the nutrition and wellness space. I grew up an athlete and surrounded by a family who loves food. Being a teen with a few extra pounds, I was influenced by diet culture to try all of the diets and measure up to society’s standards. Little did I know the damage I was causing to my metabolism, hormones and overall health. Tack on over a decade of oral contraceptives to the equation and that was a recipe for disaster. Several years in, I was at my heaviest and most uncomfortable I’d ever felt. I knew I could NOT live like this any longer, it wasn’t sustainable.

I was studying to be a speech pathologist, my high school dream. After interning, I quickly realized this was not my forte. My husband mentioned nutrition and how I have always held interest in it. There I was, back in school. I immediately fell in love with nutrition. The idea of health began to click, how the human body and nutrition worked synergistically. I finally felt confident enough to relearn my hunger cues and follow regular dietary eating patterns. With that, I learned portion control, the importance of macro and micronutrients and how sleep, self-care and movement also play a huge role in women's health. I knew I needed to attempt to close this gap for as many women as possible stuck in this same dieting mentality, struggling to live their healthiest lives. Today I combine holistic and scientific methods in my practice to have women well on their way to loving and appreciating themselves the way they should!

In my free time you will find me at the park with my baby and dogs, at the beach, practicing yoga on the bluff or on a hike in the mountains.   

SPECIALTIES: Sustainable Nutrition; Lifestyle & Wellness; Hormone, Gut and Mineral Health; Pre/Postnatal Nutrition

EDUCATION
Marywood University: Master of Science in Nutrition, Marywood University
University of Mississippi: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
Florida Atlantic University: Bachelor of Arts Sociology
Leveraging Labs by Kaely RD: Advanced Lab Testing Practitioner Training

STRENGTHS: Drive, ambition, punctual, organizational, great listener, compromisable, intuitive, intentional


SHE-RO/SHE-ROES:  My grandma, Naomi Mayer, who has stayed active and healthy well into her 80’s. She inspires me to follow in her footsteps

Meet Her:  

Laura Purington, M. Ed: Registered Yoga & Meditation Teacher, Sound Healing Facilitator

As a career educator with experience teaching elementary school and also middle school, I have a joy of learning and teaching. I became passionate about yoga and its subtle ways of transforming the body and mind after becoming injured and going through hip surgery. Yoga helped me recover mentally and emotionally, and also physically. I strive to share my love for yoga and help people discover how to get in tune with their own bodies through movement and breath. In my free time, I enjoy yoga (of course), golf, cooking, travel, and spending time with my two new grandchildren. I am also interested in hiking, but am still very much a beginner.

EDUCATION:  I attended California Polytechnic University at Pomona to earn my Bachelor's degree in Management and Human Resources, then attended Chapman University to earn my teaching credential, after which I attended Azusa Pacific University for my Master's degree in Educational Technology. My initial 200HR Yoga teacher training took place in Upland, California at Studio 3, while my 300HR training was obtained through Dr. Christie Smirl in Alta Loma.

SPECIALTIES: Hatha Yoga, Yin Yoga, Meditation, Sound healing

STRENGTHS: I am compassionate and a good listener, and have a great deal of patience. I love to hear people's stories and try to learn something from everyone I meet

SHE-RO/SHE-ROES: I deeply admire and respect Marie Curie, and also Ada Lovelace, who is a woman influential in computer science. 

Meet Her:

Johanna Velazquez, CMT : Certified Massage Therapist and Yomassage Therapist.

Upon receiving my first professional massage at the age of 9, I knew I had fallen in love with the way massage made me feel. Suffering from headaches at the time, I owe my parents immense gratitude for introducing me to the world of health and wellness. Receiving massage helped me manage the pain, and I gained a better understanding of the way my body works, and what I need to do in order to feel my best. At the age of 22, I realized I had the desire to learn how to share this gift that had been given to me. I moved from my hometown of Glendale, CA to the beautiful state of Colorado to earn my certification at the Boulder College of Massage Therapy. I learned that massage is a blend of both science and art, and I've been proud to be a part of this industry since 2005.

Massage, acupuncture, yoga, meditation, walks, good food, and great company are all forms of my self care. Along with the joy of raising my daughter and son with my husband, I'm grateful to have found work I love to do. I'm honored to be a part of your wellness journey, and be able to share my love for massage therapy with you.

Specialties: Trigger Point therapy, headache relief, head,neck, and shoulder injury and pain, deep relaxation for stress and anxiety, pre and postnatal massage.

Education:
CMTBoulder College of Massage Therapy
Yomassage Certification, Yomassage

Strengths: I'm able to find the good in the bad. The light in the dark. The joy in the sorrow. I can make a situation, place or person feel special. I like to connect with the kid in me, and have a childlike urge to play and wonder.

SHE-RO/SHE-ROES: Maya Angelou and Paramahansa Yogananda

Meet Her:

Joanna Chicas,  Administrative Assistant

Administrative expertise runs through my veins – dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s since graduating high school. I have over 15 years of experience and in-depth knowledge of administrative practices and procedures.

I love interacting with people from all facets of the community and backgrounds. I most desire to provide women with the best support so they can reach their full potential in their everyday lives while prioritizing their well-being. My own life experience taught me that we could not do life alone.

In my free time, I love to spend time with my loved ones, have dance parties with my daughter, and explore new places. All of these spark joy in my life. Travel is my therapy, and plants are my best friends. New plant mama here!

EDUCATION:
A.A.  Cerritos College
B.A. Business Administration, Western Governor's University (In Progress)

I earned my Associate of Arts Degree in Business Administration two decades ago. After a long break, I have decided to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. 

STRENGTHS: Empathetic. Authentic. Fun-loving. Transparent. Compassionate.

SHE-RO/SHEROES: My mother exemplifies the qualities of a strong woman. She has always faced her battles head-on as a woman of strength, armed with her unwavering faith in God. I finally understood what selfless sacrifice and unconditional love meant when I became a mother.

My sisters may not have given birth to my babies, but they have been instrumental in helping my husband and me raise our children.

I also admire women leaders who lead by example - who guide and inspire their team members. I have been blessed to work with a few of them, and it makes such a difference when they encourage and empower me. 

Meet Her

our mission

We are passionate about the well-being of women throughout their lifespan. We exist to support the growth and development of women by building upon strengths and cultivating resilience so that while navigating life, they may not only survive, but thrive and RISE with passion, joy, connection, meaning, and authenticity. 

“A woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing. She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination prepared to be herself and only herself.”
– MAYA ANGELOU 

OUR SPaCE