"The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are"
~ C.G. Jung.
At Janus Counseling Center, we specialize in a wide range of psychological services tailored to support individuals and families navigating life’s most complex and challenging transitions. Our services include:
Psychological assessment services
Psychological consultation
Psychological counseling services
Psychological testing
Psychological Forensic services
We also provide specialized psychological services for children with special needs and their families, including
Diagnostic evaluations
Therapeutic interventions
Each service is delivered with care, expertise, and a deep commitment to fostering growth, healing, and resilience across the lifespan.
Life is about relationships—and they can sometimes be difficult to navigate. Whether you’re facing personal conflict, trauma, or life-altering transitions, our team is here to help you understand and manage these internal dynamics with clarity and compassion.
Therapists at Janus Counseling Center are both skillful and sensitive, tailoring their approach to meet each client’s unique needs. We offer a full spectrum of services, from evidence-based, shorter-term interventions to longer-term psychodynamic and depth-oriented modalities. Each therapist brings expertise in their respective fields, working collaboratively with clients to foster insight, growth, and healing—especially in the realm of relationships.
We view conflict and trauma not as signs of failure, but as powerful openings for transformation. Through a Jungian-informed psychotherapeutic approach, we help clients move through suffering and rediscover their most authentic, resilient selves. In this process, pain becomes not a burden, but a catalyst for renewal.
We Work With...
Couples- who are withdrawn from one another and experiencing communication, intimacy or sexual challenges, verbal or physical abusive, anger, guilt, depression, or desiring pre-marital assessment.
Families- who are having trouble communicating, going through difficult transitions, i.e., divorce,separation, or remarriage, the joining two families, or the loss or illness of a family member.
Individuals-who are interested in methods to overcome unwanted behavior patterns, who wish to explore the current impact of past events and relationships, or who are seeking to rediscover their authentic selves through the individuation process.
Adolescents- who are exhibiting challenging behaviors, substance abuse, eating disorders, school related problems, social isolation, or relationship problems.
College Students- who are managing the stress of academics, relationships, or family, and who are seeking solid strategies in times of emotional challenge.
Children- who are exhibiting symptoms of depression, disruptive behavior, academic challenges, attendance problems, or fears & worry.
Contact Us Today! Our staff's ultimate goal is staying mindful of what the soul wants. Don't hesitate to call (805) 845-9649 today, as a complimentary intake session is available in most instances.
Our Story
In 2016, after much thought and contemplation, Michael Vogel, MA, PhD, USN ret. decided to start a group practice that would offer the Santa Barbara community a place individuals could find skilled and thoughtful therapy. He also envisioned the practice to be a learning center for students pursuing a clinical psychology degree. His vision included Trainees, Interns, and Associates in pursuit of licensure a place to meet with clients and find the critical support and exemplary supervision it takes to complete the process. In 2017 the group expanded when two additional therapists, James Murray, MA, LMFT, and Dana Saperstein, PhD, LMFT who joined Janus as members of the therapeutic/ training staff. With Michael's unwavering vision and mission, it wasn’t long before the group adopted the name: Janus Counseling Center. In 2018 Jennifer Vogel, MA, LMFT joined the practice and currently co-directs the group with Dr. Vogel.
Janus, in mythology is known as the god of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, doorways, passages, and endings. Psychologiy services at Janus Counseling Center is an opportunity to walk through that portal to a new way of living. We recognize our patients commonly come to see us when they find themselves in the midst of difficult and disorienting transitions. We consider ourselves honored to help guide them through some of the significant transitional portals and passages in their lives.
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