LCSW, 17 years of experience
Welcome to Creative Healing! I'm Jen Mele, LCSW, EYT-200—owner and group therapist here. You've taken a meaningful step by seeking support, and that alone is a powerful act of care for yourself and your relationships. At Creative Healing, we work with individuals, families, and couples navigating challenges such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, intense emotions, impulsivity, self-criticism, and more. Our practice is holistic, honoring the mind-body connection and the inherent capacity for healing, growth, and reconnection. We are passionate about helping people build emotional awareness, self-trust, and more compassionate relationships—with themselves and with others. Many of the individuals, families, and couples we support are struggling with common but painful dynamics: difficulty managing emotional intensity, trouble setting and respecting boundaries, and the challenge of truly listening to and understanding one another without judgment. These patterns can create disconnection, resentment, and hurt—but they are also deeply workable with the right tools and support. We specialize in evidence-based treatment like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic practices and mindfulness because we’ve seen how powerfully they support emotional regulation, self-understanding, and both individual and relational healing. These approaches aren’t just supportive—they’re scientifically validated. At Creative Healing, we integrate these proven methods to help you create meaningful, lasting change—from the inside out and in connection with those who matter most.
Starting therapy can feel intimidating, uncertain, or even overwhelming—and that’s completely understandable. Taking the step to reach out for support is brave, whether you’re coming as an individual, a couple, or a family. I want you to know that the first session is designed to meet you exactly where you are. There is no expectation or pressure to share more than you feel comfortable with. In fact, many clients feel nervous or unsure during their first appointment, and that’s perfectly normal. The intake session is your time to be heard and understood on your own terms—whether you’re speaking for yourself, together as a couple, or as a family unit. You can share what’s on your mind, the challenges you’re facing, or simply talk about your hopes and goals for therapy. You’ll also have the chance to ask any questions about the therapy process, what to expect moving forward, and the specific approaches I use. This session is about building a foundation of trust and safety, helping you feel more grounded and informed about the journey ahead. At Creative Healing, we use a combination of evidence-based and integrative approaches to tailor therapy to your unique needs. Whether you’re answering questions individually or as a group, you can take your time sharing until you feel safe. Together, we may develop a treatment plan that breaks your goals down step by step, helping you understand and move forward with confidence.
I was that person chosen for peer counseling at school and the friend people went to when they needed an ear. My own life experiences were challenging from the start and I felt an uncanny ability to empathize with different people. Over the years, a search for answers to my own suffering led me from science to mindfulness to psychology to working as a therapist. All while healing old and newfound chronic pains and illnesses. My experiences as a yoga practitioner & teacher, artist, painter, group leader and continuing educator have influenced my practice. I started Creative Healing 13 years ago and value providing a high level of client care. This is a safe, inclusive space for you to come and feel seen and heard. I’m warm, approachable, and genuinely curious about people’s stories. I believe healing happens best in a space where you feel safe, heard, and free to be exactly who you are—no filters, no judgment. I’m someone who values kindness, creativity, and a good sense of humor (because sometimes we all need to laugh, even in tough moments). Outside of therapy, I’m passionate about creating art and self-expression, music, the beach, nature, dogs and connecting with family in friends. If you want to see a bit of my world and creative journey, feel free to check out my Instagram @jenmeleart — it’s where I share my art and the pieces of life that inspire me.
At Creative Healing, we are here to support individuals, couples, and families who may be feeling overwhelmed by difficult emotions, relational struggles, or life’s uncertainties. If you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, intense feelings, or challenges with impulsivity and self-criticism, know that you’re not alone—and that these experiences are valid and understandable. Our ideal clients are those who want to feel seen and heard, to make sense of their inner world, and to find ways to soothe emotional pain while rebuilding trust within themselves and their relationships. Whether you’re seeking relief from persistent struggles or hoping to cultivate more connection and understanding, our approach offers a gentle, non-judgmental space where healing can begin at your own pace.
Certainly! Here’s the paragraph rewritten with **we** and tailored to individuals, couples, and families: --- **DBT for Individuals, Couples, and Families:** With 17 years of experience practicing and teaching Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), we’ve seen how truly life-changing these skills can be for individuals, couples, and families alike. Over nearly two decades, we’ve supported people navigating intense emotions, strained relationships, and difficult life transitions—and we’ve witnessed the powerful impact DBT can have in fostering deeper connection, understanding, and resilience. DBT is more than just therapy—it’s a practical and compassionate approach that helps individuals and relationships manage emotional intensity, communicate more effectively, and respond to challenges with greater confidence and clarity. At its heart, DBT teaches a balance of acceptance and change: accepting yourself and others as you are, while also learning new ways to grow—whether on your own or together. Throughout our work, we’ve taught DBT skills in individual therapy, group settings, and workshops—helping clients integrate them into everyday life. Whether it’s mindfulness to stay grounded, distress tolerance to navigate conflict, or interpersonal effectiveness to express needs and boundaries clearly, these tools offer a foundation for healing and connection. What makes DBT so powerful for individuals, couples, and families is its blend of structure and empathy—it meets people where they are, honors their experiences, and provides clear, actionable strategies for lasting change. Our goal is to help you apply these skills in ways that feel relevant and empowering, so you can build stronger, more compassionate relationships—with yourself and those you care about. Having a shared language to discuss feelings and challenges with your partner or family members also helps everyone get on the same page. If you’d like to set up an individual, couples, or family session, please let us know!
IFS for Individuals, Couples, and Families: We have been practicing Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy for over many years and our journey with IFS began—experiencing its compassionate and transformative healing firsthand. This powerful approach has deeply informed our work with individuals, couples, and families seeking a path to greater understanding and connection. IFS views the mind as composed of “parts” — distinct inner voices or roles that shape how we think, feel, and relate to others. In close relationships, these parts often become activated: one person’s need for space may trigger another’s fear of abandonment, or a parent’s protector part may come into conflict with a child’s need for independence. These dynamics are common, and IFS provides a gentle way to recognize and shift them with care. Typically, parts fall into three categories: * **Managers** work to maintain control through perfectionism, criticism, or emotional distance. * **Firefighters** respond to emotional pain with anger, avoidance, or numbing behaviors. * **Exiles** hold the pain, fears, and unmet needs we try to hide but that often drive our strongest reactions. At the heart of every person is the **Self** — a calm, compassionate, and grounded presence that can lead with clarity and kindness. In therapy with individuals, couples, and families, IFS helps each person access this Self-energy so they can relate to themselves and one another with empathy instead of reactivity. As you begin to understand your own parts and those of your loved ones, you gain tools to communicate more openly, repair trust, de-escalate conflict, and support healing together. Having experienced this process personally, we bring deep empathy to our work. We help individuals, couples, and families move through stuck patterns and reconnect in meaningful, respectful, and emotionally safe ways. IFS offers more than insight—it invites real transformation, making room for deeper connection, understanding, and lasting change. Through the unblending process, you learn to observe your parts non-judgmentally and see how they interact within yourself and your relationships.
Paint and Mixed Media Group Our Paint and Mixed Media Group is a welcoming, nurturing space designed to help you reconnect with your creative self and access healing through art. Led by Jen Mele, LCSW, EYT-200, artist and therapist, this group blends art-making with mindfulness and somatic awareness to support emotional exploration and self-expression. The painting process is about allowing the Self to express itself beyond words—honoring your authentic rhythm and flow. This group encourages you to take gentle steps into uncertainty, managing mistakes and happy accidents as part of the creative journey. We also work with the critical inner voice, transforming self-judgment into curiosity and compassion. Whether you’re new to art or experienced, you’ll explore paint, collage, and mixed media in a supportive environment where the process matters more than the product. This group invites curiosity, self-compassion, and creative play as pathways to deeper self-understanding and healing. We accept most insurances, however, Grow does not currently bill for group on their platform therefore you can contact me in other ways via my profile.
When working with families, creating a supportive and effective structure is essential. Families often come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, emotionally dysregulated, or caught in cycles of conflict and disconnection. That’s where **Internal Family Systems (IFS)** and **Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)** provide a powerful, evidence-based foundation—not only for emotional healing but also for **clear structure, consistent scheduling, and relational psychoeducation**. 🧭 Structured Framework for Sessions IFS and DBT bring clarity and rhythm to family therapy work. Sessions are thoughtfully structured to balance emotional exploration with practical skill-building: With DBT, we set clear agendas, goals, and rhythms that families can rely on. Skills are introduced in manageable steps, often with a focus for each session (e.g., mindfulness, distress tolerance, boundary setting, validation). IFS provides a deeply compassionate roadmap for navigating emotions and conflict. Each family member learns to recognize their internal “parts” and how those parts may be interacting with one another in the family system (e.g., a parent’s protector part clashing with a teen’s exile or firefighter part). This framework supports a sense of containment and direction even in emotionally charged sessions. Both models help reduce the chaos that can often show up in family dynamics by **introducing predictability and process**, so families know what to expect and feel safe engaging in the work. 📆 Scheduling with Intention In family work, scheduling is strategic, not just logistical. Depending on the family’s needs, we may use rotating sessions (e.g., alternating individual and joint sessions), or create steady structures such as weekly or biweekly appointments with specific goals. DBT’s modular approach allows us to assign relevant skills between sessions—turning therapy into something the family lives and practices throughout the week. IFS helps us track inner and relational shifts over time, so scheduling can be aligned with emotional pacing. Sessions might shift from more intensive support during high-conflict phases to maintenance and integration as trust and regulation increase. This approach makes therapy sustainable while also **supporting long-term change**. 📚 Psychoeducation that Builds Understanding A key part of both DBT and IFS is **psychoeducation**—teaching families about the patterns behind their behaviors, emotions, and communication breakdowns. In DBT, we offer psychoeducation around emotional regulation, the nervous system, interpersonal effectiveness, and how emotions impact behavior. This helps families understand that conflict or reactivity isn’t “bad behavior”—it’s often a survival response. * **IFS** brings awareness to how each person’s internal parts are activated in family interactions. Learning about the roles of Managers, Firefighters, and Exiles gives families **language and compassion** for what’s really happening beneath the surface of arguments or shutdowns. This knowledge empowers families to **move from blame to understanding**, and from reaction to repair. Together, IFS and DBT provide a balanced blend of **emotional depth, relational clarity, and practical structure**—making therapy not only a space for healing but also a guide for daily life. Whether your family is navigating trauma, parenting challenges, emotional dysregulation, or a breakdown in communication, these approaches create a solid foundation for lasting change—one step, one session, and one insight at a time.
Somatic therapy is a body-based approach that helps you tune into physical sensations as a way to process emotions, release stress, and heal from trauma. It’s based on the understanding that the body and mind are deeply connected — emotions often show up physically, and healing can happen through both awareness and movement. This approach helps you notice how emotions live in your body and offers tools like grounding, breathwork, and gentle movement to support nervous system regulation. It works especially well alongside DBT and IFS by making emotional experiences more tangible and helping you connect more deeply with yourself and your parts. Somatic therapy is about slowing down, listening to your body, and creating space for healing that goes beyond words. What Is a Mind-Body Approach? A mind-body approach recognizes that mental health, physical health, and emotional well-being are deeply interconnected. This isn’t just a philosophical view — it’s backed by growing scientific evidence in fields like neuroscience, psychoneuroimmunology, and pain research. In therapy, a mind-body approach invites us to explore not only what we *think* and *feel*, but also what we *sense*. Our bodies store emotions, trauma, and stress responses. Physical symptoms can carry emotional weight, and emotional challenges can manifest physically. That’s why healing often requires more than talk therapy alone. This approach also helps you learn to distinguish between physical and emotional sensations and to understand how they often layer together. For example, chronic muscle tension may come from structural strain and unresolved emotional stress. We explore how the nervous system, posture, breathing, movement, and touch are all connected to your emotional landscape. We also address something that’s commonly overlooked in both traditional and holistic spaces: medical bypass — when emotional issues are dismissed as “just physical” — and **spiritual bypass**, when physical issues are ignored in favor of mindset or energy alone. A mind-body approach emphasizes bothhemotional exploration and appropriate **medical attention**, supporting you in taking your body seriously while exploring its deeper messages. In this work, I often refer clients to or collaborate with a range of other providers including **medical doctors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, Reiki practitioners, massage therapists, and other skilled bodyworkers**. Approaches from both **Eastern and Western traditions** are welcomed, and we explore what feels right for you. A special focus is placed on the **fascia and connective tissue system** — the body’s internal web that supports, connects, and communicates between all systems. Fascia is still largely under-recognized in mainstream care, even though research and experience show that **70–80% of physical pain can be resolved through fascial release and integration**. Techniques like gentle movement, somatic awareness, breathwork, and hands-on bodywork can be powerful tools for reconnecting with this system and relieving long-held tension. Ultimately, a mind-body approach is about **coming back home to yourself** — learning to listen to the wisdom of your body, understand the patterns of your nervous system, and build emotional and physical resilience from the inside out. It’s holistic, collaborative, and rooted in deep respect for your whole being.