We recently connected with Virginia Jreisat and have shared our conversation below.

Virginia , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?

I was first introduced to the Therapeutic Programming world in 2017. I was working two jobs as a LPC in a private practice and as a Behavioral Health Associate in an adult psychiatric nursing unit. While I gained an enormous amount of experience and skills in these positions, by the year mark I found myself yearning for something more impactful. It was at this point that I began exploring Indeed, and found a position I deemed too good to be true. In fact, I didn’t know it at the time, but coming across the Therapeutic Life Coach position at Edge Learning and Wellness would be the turning point of my career.

I remember reading the job description, which mentioned living on site in downtown Chicago and mentoring college-aged students, and thinking to myself “this has to be a scam.” But, my curiosity got the better of me and I soon found myself interviewing on-site. What stuck out most to me the idea of informed experiential learning helping create sustainable change. The idea of truly walking with someone in their journey, did not only have to be a metaphor with Therapeutic Life Coaching, and I felt less limited to perform therapy in its more restrictive form.

So at the age of 24, I moved into a studio apartment in the Loop and began living within Edge’s unique co-educational young adult transition program. In this space I was not only leading daily individual and group coaching sessions, but also creating a safe and nurturing psychological environment for upwards of 16 launching young adults. Using a 6 Dimensions of Health model, I was given the opportunity to combine evidence based psychodynamic techniques with motivational interviewing, executive functioning, and behavior modification strategies. Ultimately, creating this fusion of methodologies helped me build awareness around my client’s limiting beliefs, establish goals, and finally to begin living independent and fulfilling lives.

My experiences at Edge were really instrumental in the founding of my own company, JANUS Code, and I’m very thankful that I took a risk 9 years ago!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

After earning my Master’s in Counseling from Northwestern University and gaining experience in residential therapeutic programming, private practice and executive coaching settings, I founded JANUS Code in 2022. I did so with the belief that something more was needed- an integrative space that reflects the complexity of the human experience and the need for new approaches to progress and success.

As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and Certified Life Coach, I bring together the structure of evidence-based therapy with the forward-momentum of coaching to support lasting transformation. Over the past nine years, I have chosen to specialize in individual psychotherapy and life coaching for emerging adults and professionals- those standing at the crossroads of identity, independence, and direction. Inspired by the duality of the Roman god Janus, her work centers on helping clients reflect on where they’ve been while actively shaping where they’re going.

Many of the individuals I support are navigating delayed independence, including both neurodiverse and neurotypical young adults, working to overcome stagnation and build the momentum needed to launch into adulthood. Whether it’s establishing autonomy, creating developmentally appropriate routines, building a secure sense of self, or learning how to form healthy boundaries and relationships, I offer informed and compassionate guidance through these pivotal transitions.

Additionally, I previously served as a clinical consultant and coach with Intent Clinical, where I supported workforce well-being and organizational performance through holistic, discreet, and adaptive mental health solutions. Working with clients across industries and regions, I partnered with HR, wellness, and benefits teams to respond to real-time needs and elevate employee engagement, resilience, and retention. This work deepened my commitment to creating psychologically informed spaces not just for individuals, but also for teams, organizations, and families.

Drawing on that foundation, I expanded JANUS Code to include corporate retreats and professional consultation services. Through a partnership with Breakwater Expeditions. As a result, I now co-lead customized experiences for corporate teams and families that integrate leadership development, communication training, and connection through experiential learning and therapeutic guidance. JANUS Code now offers both retreat-style accommodations with curated lodging and structured workshops, as well as activity-based national and international wilderness retreats that incorporate adventure, movement, and nature immersion—paired with intentional, psychologically informed programming throughout.

I continue to provide consultation and training for organizations looking to strengthen their mental health, coaching, or leadership development initiatives. I specializes in designing and delivering interactive, psychologically informed workshops and strategic consultations that foster emotional intelligence, healthy work cultures, and effective communication. Whether collaborating with nonprofits, startups, or corporate teams, my goal is to deliver structured, practical, and results-driven interventions that promote both personal insight and organizational growth.

I am incredibly excited to announce that JANUS Code, has also recently been paneled with all major insurance providers in the state of Illinois, and we are accepting new Therapy clients! This is a huge win for us, as we now offer counseling, coaching and consulting services nationally and internationally!

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

I think compassion, creativity, patience, are the most necessary skills for succeeding in my field. You need compassion to be able to truly meet your client where they are at, without judgment, expectation or personal bias. You need creativity to not only help them look at their issues and needs from new perspectives, but also to help construct truly individualized strategies and approaches. Finally, you need patience. Most people don’t seek therapy, coaching or consulting because things are going perfectly in their lives and they have everything figured out. Most people seek services out because they have made the hard realization that they need more support. Understanding that most clients come from circumstances or environments that encourage them to push through pain by burying it, outworking it, or avoiding it, means that we need to approach the dismantling of these once useful coping skills with a degree of realism and kindness. Instead of focusing on the immediate results, I encourage clients to give themselves grace and time as we work on building sustainable change.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think what has helped me build my reputation more than anything else is my authenticity. I have always aspired to lead my life and career with honesty and good intention. I meet my clients, and their support systems, with curiosity and a genuine desire to create more confidence and peace in their lives. I do not try to oversell my capacities, nor do I shy away from new experiences, circumstances, or challenges. I take pride in my ability to create sincere relationships and hope that I will be remembered for how I made my clients feel more than anything else.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.janus-co.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-jreisat-78a28813b/