Janell “Nellie” Mihelic, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist & Founder of The Thought Loft
Dr. Janell Mihelic is a licensed psychologist and the founder of The Thought Loft, a practice grounded in relational depth, community connection, and equitable access to high-quality mental health care. 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 available on Udemy 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, including (but not limited to) anxiety, ADHD, trauma, depression, bipolar disorder, and identity concerns. She also specializes in comprehensive psychological and academic assessments, with expertise in ADHD, learning differences, autism, and testing accommodations. She also conducts pre-employment and pre-surgical assessments.
Dr. Mihelic integrates psychodynamic and interpersonal approaches with evidence-based strategies, always working to create a warm, affirming space for healing and insight. She also uses CBT, ACT, and DBT interventions as requested or clinically indicated. Her professional journey began with a passion for advocacy, eventually leading her to complete her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at UNLV after earning her B.S. at Nevada State College. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the University of Oregon and post-doctoral fellowship at UNLV Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), specializing in training, test anxiety, and ADHD treatment. She has been licensed since 2014.
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 (plus many beloved dogs) and finds joy in books, summer storms, road trips, podcasts, and all things cozy—especially when accompanied by a good boba tea.
Jennifer Terranova
Psychological Testing, Psychoeducation, and Psychosocial Support
Jennifer Terranova is a psychometrician specializing in psychological testing, psychoeducation, and psychosocial support. She plays a key role in the assessment process, assisting in the administration of psychological tests to clarify diagnoses related to developmental, cognitive, behavioral, and mental health conditions. With experience working across the lifespan, she has a particular passion for assessing and supporting children and adolescents, helping to identify their strengths and areas of need.
Jennifer’s approach to testing is highly interpersonal, prioritizing rapport, clinical observation, and strengths-based assessment to ensure meaningful and accurate diagnoses. She believes that psychodiagnostic testing is not just a diagnostic tool but a therapeutic process in itself, providing validation, understanding, and a clearer path forward.
Jennifer is also dedicated to parenting education and consultation and has developed a structured program to help parents implement evidence-based strategies tailored to their family's needs. Her approach focuses on fostering proactive and empathic parent-child interactions, strengthening relationships, and creating a supportive home environment. In addition to individualized parent coaching, she facilitates workshops for parents of neurodivergent children, equipping them with practical tools to navigate parenting challenges effectively.
Her path to psychology has been dynamic and diverse. After graduating from the International School of Berne, Switzerland, she earned a B.A. in Psychology from UNLV. Before entering graduate school, she served as executive director of a nonprofit providing transitional housing for homeless women and children and worked as a freelance writer for resort and casino publications. She later pursued a doctoral program in Clinical Psychology at UNLV, focusing on neuropsychological assessment under the mentorship of Dr. Daniel Allen. After several years of intensive study, she made the difficult decision to step away from the program in 2015 following the birth of her daughter, whose special needs became her priority. However, she remained deeply connected to the field and has worked in psychological testing since 2011, bringing extensive experience in child and adult assessment to her role.
Originally from Massachusetts, Jennifer frequently travels to Colorado, where her parents and one of her sons live, while regularly visiting her home state to see family. She is a mom of five, with four grown children and one still in elementary school, and is a proud grandmother who enjoys spending time with her grandchildren. She loves cooking, baking, reading, singing, and playing piano, even if she admits her musical skills could use some improvement. Family is central to her life, and she brings the same warmth and dedication to her work that she does to her personal life.