Presenter Spotlight: Janae Ponder, LCSW-QS

We are thrilled that Janae is joining us on the 2^nd Annual Mental Health and Cultural Competence Symposium at Sea, conducing her workshop: The Balancing Act: DBT for Self-Care and for Clients.

Who is Janae?

Licensed clinical social worker and qualified supervisor; School Social Worker with Volusia County Schools; Owner of Life-Spire Counseling Services; President of Life-Spire Community Services, a nonprofit expanding access to care and building a pipeline of skilled Black clinicians.

What does Janae do?

By day, Janae supports students and families in schools. By evening, she’s a mental health practitioner, educator, and advocate. Through her private practice and nonprofit, she provides therapy, clinical supervision, CEU-level trainings, and community education. She leads DBT-based workshops for school teams and organizes the annual BIPOC Mental Health Fair to bring services directly to those who need them.

How does Janae work?

Janae’s orientation is uniquely “Janae!" She blends evidence-based practices and lived wisdom. She leads with flexibility, creativity, and cultural awareness, pursuing what’s often unspoken: hidden barriers, unexpressed desires, and untapped strengths. Her approach balances structure and soul, and is grounded in intuition, strategy, and the belief that healing is never one-size-fits-all.

Why mental health?

“Mental health chose me.” From middle-school peer counselor to seasoned clinician, Janae has always felt called to listen, guide, and hold space. Life experiences confirmed her purpose: standing in the gap for those who need a safe place to land.

What drives Janae?

Advancing culturally affirming, accessible care, especially for Black communities and other communities of color. She’s passionate about training and supervising clinicians to feel confident, empowered, free from imposter syndrome, and about seeing more people of color on "both sides of the couch."

Why does Janae’s session matter?

Safety starts with the clinician. Janae’s DBT model helps practitioners practice what we preach by using the same skills we teach to nourish both client and clinician. When we “eat our own cooking,” everyone benefits.

What are some fun facts about Janae?

• She is learning to play guitar

• Janae is a Fort Lauderdale native with a performing arts background

• She is the oldest of 10+ siblings

• She wrote an affirmation book during grief that now encourages others

• She hosts legendary (and sometimes competitive!) game nights

• She has a beautiful line of coloring books available on Amazon

• Finally, Janae can throw down a seafood boil that will make you weak in the knees!

Although Janae has cruised before, the ports for MHCC25 are new to her! She looks forward to seeing God’s power and the peace of the natural earth aboard the Carnival Sunrise. Most of all, Janae is to pour into other healers and grow through community.

Connect with Janae on LinkedIn.