Why Olive & Clay?

Born from deep roots and intentional care, Olive & Clay Counseling was created to be more than a practice — a meaningful space that honors and holds each person’s healing journey.

The Inspiration

At Olive & Clay Counseling, the name itself holds meaning rooted in culture, spirituality, and the healing journey.

The olive tree has long symbolized peace, resilience, and rootedness — a bridge between generations and lands. With deep roots in Middle Eastern cultures, it evokes the strength found in stillness and the nourishment that comes from connection and tradition.

Clay represents creation, transformation, and our shared humanity. In both Islamic and Indigenous Latin American traditions, clay is sacred — the substance from which we are formed, shaped, and renewed. It speaks to the therapeutic process: raw, vulnerable, and beautifully moldable in the hands of care and intention.

Together, Olive & Clay reflects a space that is grounded, multicultural, and nurturing — a place where you can be both held and reshaped, with compassion and authenticity.

No matter your background, spiritual identity, or path in life,

you are unconditionally welcomed here.

Olive & Clay Counseling is a space of safety, warmth, and belonging for all who seek healing and growth.

Janine Shalash-Sandoval, LCPC
Founder of Olive & Clay Counseling

Hello,

I’m Janine — a therapist who believes that healing begins with connection. I see therapy as a space where you can lay down the weight you’ve been carrying and begin to see yourself with more gentleness and clarity. My role is to walk beside you — offering honesty, empathy, and steady support as you move toward healing and growth.

My style is warm, creative, and collaborative. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all therapy; instead, I tailor our work to fit you — blending evidence-based approaches with curiosity and artful exploration. Together, we’ll uncover what’s been holding you back and build tools to help you live with more peace and authenticity.

As someone with Palestinian, Lebanese, and Nicaraguan roots, I hold a deep respect for culture, identity, and the ways our stories shape who we are. This lens allows me to approach each person with openness and compassion, meeting you exactly where you are without judgment.

I work with adults navigating anxiety, OCD, mood and personality disorders, binge-eating and body-image concerns, trauma, attention issues, and other struggles that may impact someone's life.

Above all, I strive to make therapy a place where you can feel safe, seen, and supported — a space to grow into the fullest version of yourself.

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The Human Behind the Therapist