Jacqueline is a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with extensive experience providing comprehensive mental health care to individuals across the lifespan. With a passion for helping patients achieve emotional well-being, she combines evidence-based approaches with a deep understanding of psychiatric disorders to offer personalized, compassionate care. Jacqueline completed her [degree, e.g., Master's or Doctorate] in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing at [University Name] and is board-certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). She specializes in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, PTSD, trauma, and substance use disorders. Jacqueline is skilled in using both pharmacological and therapeutic interventions, with a particular focus on developing individualized treatment plans in collaboration with patients. In addition to providing direct clinical care, Jacqueline is committed to ongoing professional development, staying current with advancements in mental health care and best practices. With a compassionate and holistic approach, Jacqueline works closely with patients to empower them in their mental health journeys, fostering trust, resilience, and healing.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In the first session, clients can expect a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where they are encouraged to share what brought them in and what they hope to gain from treatment. My goal is to get a comprehensive understanding of their current concerns, history, and personal strengths so that we can begin building a collaborative treatment plan tailored to their needs. I typically start by reviewing confidentiality and answering any questions about the therapeutic process. Then, we explore their mental health history, medical background, current symptoms, and relevant life stressors or support systems. I also ask about sleep, mood, anxiety, substance use, trauma history (if they’re ready to share), and coping strategies. Importantly, I move at the client’s pace—there’s no pressure to disclose more than they’re comfortable with. I focus on building trust and rapport while beginning to identify goals and possible next steps. By the end of the session, clients often leave with a sense of relief and clarity, knowing that they’ve been heard and that we’re working together toward their well-being.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
One of my greatest strengths as a provider is my ability to build strong, trusting therapeutic relationships with patients. I create a safe, nonjudgmental space where individuals feel heard, respected, and supported—regardless of where they are in their mental health journey. This rapport lays the foundation for honest communication and effective treatment planning. I am also highly attuned to clinical detail and patient presentation, which helps me identify subtle changes in mood, behavior, or risk that might otherwise go unnoticed. My approach is thorough, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive, allowing me to tailor interventions to the unique needs of each patient. In addition, I am consistently dependable, organized, and collaborative. I work well within interdisciplinary teams and value open communication with colleagues, therapists, and other providers to ensure comprehensive and coordinated care. My commitment to continued learning and evidence-based practice ensures that I stay current and provide high-quality, individualized treatment. Above all, I genuinely care about my patients' well-being and take pride in helping them move toward recovery, stability, and improved quality of life.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I am best positioned to serve clients who are navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, life transitions, or recovery from substance use. Many of the clients I work well with are those who may feel overwhelmed but are motivated to better understand themselves and improve their mental health. I specialize in creating a supportive, structured, and nonjudgmental space—especially for individuals who have had difficulty opening up in the past or are new to mental health treatment. I work well with clients who appreciate a collaborative approach. I focus on building a strong therapeutic relationship first, and then guide clients in developing practical skills to manage symptoms while also exploring deeper emotional patterns when appropriate. Whether someone is dealing with longstanding emotional struggles, acute stressors, or simply seeking clarity and support, I tailor my approach to meet their unique needs. I’m especially effective with clients who value a blend of evidence-based tools—like CBT, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care—combined with a compassionate, real-world approach to healing and growth.
About Jacqueline Chan
Jacqueline Chan offers therapy covered by Central California Alliance for Health (Medi-Cal), Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal), L.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Partnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal) and San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal) in California.
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have experience utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a foundational treatment modality in my clinical practice, particularly when working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, and trauma-related symptoms. My approach emphasizes helping patients identify and challenge distorted thinking patterns, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and increase self-awareness around the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. In practice, I often incorporate CBT techniques such as thought records, behavioral activation, cognitive restructuring, and exposure-based strategies when appropriate. I guide patients in recognizing unhelpful cognitive patterns—like catastrophizing or all-or-nothing thinking—and support them in reframing these thoughts in a more balanced and realistic way. I also encourage goal-setting and homework assignments to promote skill generalization outside of sessions. CBT aligns well with psychoeducation, which I integrate throughout treatment to empower patients and reinforce the rationale behind interventions. I adapt CBT tools to meet individual needs, including simplifying materials for those with cognitive or literacy challenges or integrating mindfulness-based strategies for clients with high physiological arousal. Overall, CBT provides a structured yet flexible framework that supports collaborative and measurable progress in therapy, and I’ve found it to be highly effective across a broad range of clinical presentations.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I regularly incorporate mindfulness-based strategies into my clinical practice to help patients increase emotional regulation, reduce anxiety, and enhance present-moment awareness. Mindfulness is particularly helpful for individuals struggling with intrusive thoughts, mood instability, or trauma-related symptoms, as it offers a grounding technique that promotes non-judgmental awareness of one’s internal experiences. In sessions, I often guide patients through brief mindfulness exercises such as deep breathing, body scans, or grounding techniques. I also encourage the integration of mindfulness practices into their daily routines, whether through structured activities like guided meditation or informal approaches such as mindful walking, eating, or journaling. These practices help patients create space between their thoughts and reactions, allowing them to respond more intentionally rather than react impulsively. Mindfulness is also valuable when paired with other therapeutic approaches like CBT or DBT. It supports distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and acceptance—particularly when patients are navigating difficult emotions or engaging in exposure work. I often teach patients how to notice their thoughts without judgment, fostering a greater sense of self-compassion and resilience. Overall, mindfulness enhances patients' ability to stay present, reduce reactivity, and develop a healthier relationship with their thoughts and emotions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i)
I incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) in my clinical practice when working with patients who report chronic sleep difficulties. CBT-I is an evidence-based, first-line treatment for insomnia that focuses on addressing the behavioral and cognitive factors that interfere with restful sleep. I’ve found it especially effective for patients whose sleep issues are tied to anxiety, depression, trauma, or substance use recovery. In practice, I begin with a thorough sleep assessment, including sleep history, current routines, and contributing psychological factors. I then use CBT-I techniques such as sleep restriction, stimulus control, and sleep hygiene education to help patients reestablish a consistent and healthy sleep pattern. Cognitive restructuring is also a key component—I work with patients to challenge unhelpful beliefs about sleep (e.g., “I’ll never be able to fall asleep without medication”) and replace them with more balanced, evidence-based thoughts. I often integrate relaxation strategies such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or progressive muscle relaxation to help reduce pre-sleep arousal. I also collaborate with patients to track sleep patterns using logs or apps to monitor progress and adjust strategies as needed. CBT-I empowers patients to take control of their sleep without reliance on medications, and I have seen significant improvements in both sleep quality and overall functioning in patients who engage consistently in the process.
Grief Therapy
I incorporate grief therapy into my clinical practice to support individuals coping with the loss of a loved one or other significant life changes that trigger a grief response. My approach is grounded in providing a safe, compassionate space for patients to process their emotions, make meaning of their loss, and gradually adapt to a new reality without the person or relationship they’ve lost. I tailor interventions based on each individual’s stage of grief, cultural background, and personal coping style. For some, this involves narrative techniques, where we explore and honor the relationship with the deceased and the impact of the loss. For others, I integrate elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy to help identify and address unhelpful beliefs (e.g., guilt or self-blame) and support emotional regulation. I also address complicated or prolonged grief when symptoms are persistent and interfere with daily functioning, using structured approaches that gently challenge avoidance and facilitate re-engagement with life. When appropriate, I incorporate mindfulness or somatic techniques to help patients stay grounded in the present and manage the physical symptoms of grief. Whether grief is recent or long-standing, I strive to help patients move toward healing by acknowledging their pain, preserving meaningful connections, and finding hope in the midst of loss.
Supportive
Supportive therapy is a foundational element of my clinical practice, particularly when working with individuals who are in crisis, have chronic mental health conditions, or are not yet ready to engage in more intensive, insight-oriented modalities. My approach to supportive therapy emphasizes building a strong therapeutic alliance, providing emotional validation, and fostering stability and resilience. In practice, I use supportive therapy to help patients strengthen coping skills, enhance self-esteem, and improve their ability to manage day-to-day stressors. This may include active listening, encouragement, normalization of emotional experiences, and reframing of negative thought patterns. I also provide psychoeducation to increase patients' understanding of their symptoms and treatment options, which often reduces anxiety and increases treatment engagement. Supportive therapy is especially helpful when working with patients navigating grief, trauma, substance use recovery, or adjustment to life transitions. It allows me to meet patients where they are emotionally and provide a consistent, nonjudgmental space where they can feel heard and empowered. I often integrate elements of CBT, mindfulness, or solution-focused techniques into supportive therapy, depending on the individual's needs. Ultimately, supportive therapy helps patients stabilize, build trust in the therapeutic process, and develop the inner resources necessary for further psychological growth.