Dr. Janell Mihelic (“Nellie”) is a licensed psychologist and the founder of The Thought Loft. She was co-owner of Sandstone Psychological Practice, a large group practice that served the southern Nevada community for over a decade. She also is the co-author of Tackling Test Anxiety, an online course that provides support to students struggling with test anxiety. In addition to her clinical work, she serves as the Assistant Director of Clinical Training for UNLV’s Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program, where she is deeply invested in mentorship and training the next generation of psychologists.

Dr. Mihelic has been licensed as a psychologist since 2014. She works with adolescents and adults navigating a wide range of concerns. There are many approaches to therapy. Dr. Mihelic’s treatment approach is flexible. She tends to mostly lean on psychodynamic and interpersonal theory and interventions. These theories emphasize increasing insight (e.g., “how did I become this way?”), understanding past and current relationship dynamics, and uses the therapeutic relationship and therapeutic space to help a person better understand themselves and what they want for their life. Dr. Mihelic works to create a warm, strength-based, affirming space for healing and insight. Dr. Mihelic is also well trained in CBT, ACT, and DBT treatments and can use those as requested or clinically indicated.

Dr. Mihelic also specializes in comprehensive psychological, diagnostic, and academic assessments. She works with various educational institutions providing assessment services to their students, specifically focusing on outlining inclusive learning opportunities. She also conducts pre-employment and pre-surgical assessments.

Dr. Mihelic’s professional journey began with a passion for advocacy, eventually leading her to complete her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the UNLV. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the University of Oregon (UO) and post-doctoral fellowship at UNLV’s Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS).

Originally from a small town in Kansas, Dr. Mihelic has called the Las Vegas desert home for a few decades. She is a mom of two school-aged children (and some adorable puppies) and finds joy in reading books, watching summer storms, going on road trips, listening to interesting podcasts, and enjoying all things cozy, especially when accompanied by a good boba tea.