Dr. Janell Mihelic (“Nellie”) is a licensed psychologist and the founder of The Thought Loft, a private clinical and assessment group practice based in Henderson, Nevada. Licensed since 2014, Dr. Mihelic has built a distinguished career spanning private practice, doctoral education, organizational consultation, and psychological evaluation across clinical, educational, and public-safety settings.

Dr. Mihelic is recognized for her expertise in comprehensive psychological assessment. Her work includes diagnostic, psychoeducational, neurodevelopmental, pre-employment, and occupationally focused evaluations, with particular expertise in autism, ADHD, learning differences, emotional functioning, and public-safety suitability. Through The Thought Loft, she partners with individuals, families, agencies, and educational institutions to provide thoughtfully, clinically rigorous evaluations that translate complex findings into clear and meaningful recommendations.

In addition to her assessment work, Dr. Mihelic provides psychotherapy to adolescents and adults navigating anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, identity development, neurodivergence, life transitions, and the pressures associated with high achievement. Her approach draws primarily from psychodynamic and interpersonal frameworks while incorporating practical strategies from cognitive-behavioral and acceptance-based models. She creates a collaborative, affirming environment in which clients can develop greater insight, resilience, and trust in themselves.

Dr. Mihelic is also an experienced clinical leader and consultant. She advises psychologists, clinicians, and organizations on developing ethical and sustainable practices, assessment programs, and clinical training systems. Her consultation work includes practice development, insurance billing and credentialing, clinical infrastructure, supervision, and the design of high-quality psychological services.

Before transitioning fully into private practice and consulting, Dr. Mihelic served as Assistant Director of Clinical Training (ADCT) for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Clinical Psychology PhD Doctoral Program. In that role, she oversaw doctoral practicum training, clinical supervision, professional development, and community-based training partnerships. She also taught graduate courses in clinical practice, supervision, and psychological assessment. Her years in doctoral education continue to inform her work as a supervisor, consultant, and advocate for client-centered, rigorous clinical training.

Her professional background also includes co-founding and co-leading Sandstone Psychological Practice, one of Southern Nevada’s premier group psychology practices, for more than a decade. She is also the co-author of Tackling Test Anxiety, an online program designed to help students understand and overcome performance-related barriers.

Originally from a small town in Kansas, Dr. Mihelic earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from UNLV. She completed her predoctoral internship at the University of Oregon and her postdoctoral fellowship at UNLV Counseling and Psychological Services.

Outside of her professional life, Dr. Mihelic enjoys thought-provoking books, road trips, summer storms, and spending time outside with her family, including her children and too many dogs.