Speaker Request Form Instructions

Thank you for considering Janae as a partner for your upcoming event. Completing this form ensures that your vision is honored with clarity and excellence. Please fill it out in its entirety. If any information changes, simply resubmit an updated form so every detail remains accurate and aligned with your expectations.

The information you share here will guide the full preparation process and help create an experience that is intentional, impactful, and tailored to the needs of your audience. For virtual events, please include a valid event link within this form. All coordination for event guidelines will take place in writing so that nothing is missed and everything is executed with care.

If you have questions, please email Janae at Janae.Ponder@Life-SpireCounseling.com.

Janae’s speaking engagements are approached with the same level of dedication she gives to her clients and community. She prepares thoughtfully and prayerfully, ensuring that what she delivers is meaningful, relevant, and rooted in purpose. Because she is often in sessions before and after speaking events, she may not be immediately available by phone. In urgent situations, she can be reached directly at (386) 275-5654.

Once your form is submitted, there is no need for extended back-and-forth communication. If an update or clarification is needed, simply resubmit your form so your event remains fully accurate and streamlined.

By completing this form, you are taking the first step toward an experience that will inspire, uplift, and leave a lasting impression on those you serve. Janae looks forward to partnering with you and giving your audience her absolute best.
 

Payment Considerations: Although Janae frequently generously volunteers her time, it's essential to acknowledge her status as a licensed professional. A tangible investment in her time and services is expected. Please note that Janae will be commuting from Deltona, FL, if your event is held outside of the area. If your event falls on a weekday, Janae may need to adjust her client schedule, resulting in a loss of income to support your event. Additionally, please consider the requested time limit for her speaking engagement and the necessary preparation time required. Janae will reach out to confirm her participation and discuss whether a deposit is required based on the speaking duration and event location. Kindly consider these details as you plan with your planning committee to ensure fairness, reasonableness, and equity in your offer.

Please use either of these biographies for print or verbal introductions:


Simple Biography:

Janae Ponder, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker based in Deltona, Florida, licensed in Florida, North Carolina, and New Hampshire. She is the founder of Life-Spire Counseling Services, LLC, a thriving mental health practice. She also leads Life-Spire Community Services, Inc., a nonprofit designed to close mental health gaps in West Volusia County through free and reduced-cost services, therapist training, and mental health advocacy.

Janae is a dynamic clinician, clinical supervisor, speaker, and community builder with a passion for demystifying mental health and making healing accessible. She is the creator of Tuesday Talks with Janae, a powerful discussion series where she tackles real-life topics like grief, trauma, relationships, and emotional wellness in a raw, relatable way. She also co-facilitates Therapy Tuesdays, a faith-rooted empowerment series that bridges mental health and spirituality through storytelling.

Her creative work includes Coloring Books for the Soul and her book 100 Bold Affirmations to Calm Your Fears, along with a companion journal. She regularly hosts events such as the BIPOC Mental Health Fair and Therapist Sip & Supports, bringing professionals and community members together to reduce stigma and increase access.

Janae’s work is rooted in compassion, cultural humility, and the belief that healing is both personal and communal. Through every session, event, and conversation, she works to create spaces where people feel seen, safe, and inspired to grow.

Extended Biography: 

Janae Ponder, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker based in Deltona, Florida, with licenses in Florida, North Carolina, and New Hampshire. She is the founder of Life-Spire Counseling Services, LLC, a thriving mental health practice, and the visionary behind Life-Spire Community Services, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to closing mental health gaps in West Volusia County. Through free and reduced cost services, therapist training, and community advocacy, she works to ensure that quality mental health care is accessible to all.

A graduate of Bethune Cookman University, Class of 2010, and a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Janae’s journey has always been rooted in service. She recalls that community service was her babysitter. As a child she volunteered at local daycare centers and the African American Research Library in Broward County. When she asked her mother why she had them volunteer so often, her mother replied, “I had nowhere else for you to go.” Those early experiences instilled in Janae the belief that community service raised her, and today she describes herself not as an entrepreneur but as a servant.

Janae holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Central Florida and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is also a Qualified Supervisor, ushering in and empowering new therapists with the confidence that they are competent, prepared, and capable of doing this work with excellence.

Her work spans multiple platforms. She is the creator of Tuesday Talks with Janae, a bold discussion series addressing grief, trauma, relationships, and emotional wellness with creativity and practicality. She also co facilitates Therapy Tuesdays, a faith rooted empowerment series bridging the gap between the church and the couch. She is a published author of the Coloring Books for the Soul series, 100 Bold Affirmations to Calm Your Fears, and its companion journal. She also organizes large scale community events such as the BIPOC Mental Health Fair and Therapist Sip & Supports, creating spaces where professionals and community members come together to reduce stigma and increase access.

Her primary theoretical orientation is, at its core, “Janae.” It is a personalized blend of evidence based practices from both the external clinical world and the deeply rooted wisdom of her lived experiences. She leads with flexibility, creativity, and cultural awareness, meeting clients where they are and providing what they need in the moment. If she were to conceptualize her approach, she would describe it as the pursuit of what is unspoken: barriers, desires, and untapped strengths. Through thought provoking questions and reflective engagement, she aims to foster growth and insight without enabling. Her work is a balance of structure and soul, driven by intuition, strategy, and the belief that healing is not one size fits all.

Janae’s leadership has been recognized with several honors, including induction into Bethune Cookman University’s inaugural 2015 40 Under 40, the Bethune Cookman University Trailblazer in Healthcare Award 2025, and the Heart of the City Honoree Award 2025.

Above all her professional accomplishments, Janae treasures her role as a wife and mother. She is happily married to Kyle Ponder and is the proud mother of two beautiful, spunky, and brave daughters, Amor and Kyla. Her family is her greatest joy and her deepest source of strength. She often reflects on how blessed she is to be so loved by them and how their love fuels her commitment to serve others.

Through every counseling session, community event, and conversation, Janae shows up with authenticity, cultural honor, and the heart of a servant. She does not see her work as a title or position but as a calling to treat people well, to stand in the gaps, and to remind others that healing is possible.