Hi there! My name is Meagan Wills (she/her) and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing therapy to adults in California. I believe that every person possesses the inner wisdom for healing and the power to effect change in their lives. Utilizing an approach that integrates mindfulness, psychodynamic, relational and acceptance and commitment therapies, I partner with individuals seeking deeper satisfaction in their lives and the tools to cope with challenges.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Our first session is spent getting to know you and beginning to build a foundation of trust. I’ll ask questions about your history, current experiences, and goals to get a sense of what’s important to you and how we can best approach this work. This is a space where your questions are welcome. I hope that you leave the session feeling more informed about the process and supported.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
Coming from a community mental health setting, I've worked with a diverse clientele with a wide array of histories. I approach therapy holistically, as I recognize the complexities of our lives and interplay between various identities and experiences. I use evidence based treatment modalities to help my clients effectively address conditions impacting their wellbeing. My style is empathetic and exploratory, and I aim to create an accepting space that is built on trust and respect.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I am dedicated to working with adults experiencing depression, anxiety, caregiver stress, family/relationship issues, and individuals impacted by substance use. I also enjoy working with people on their path to self-discovery, whether that be questions surrounding identity, finding their purpose, or adjusting to new roles or lifestyle changes following life transitions.
Trauma Informed Care
Much of my time working with unhoused individuals involved treating complex trauma co-occurring with other chronic mental health conditions. Through this experiences, I've gained understanding about the impact of trauma on social and emotional wellbeing, the nervous system, and sense of safety in the world. I incorporate trauma informed practices to establish trust in the therapeutic relationship and support folks in experiencing new ways of relating. I am intentional about centering choice, autonomy, and personal narrative.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I teach mindfulness to guide you in developing awareness of what's happening within you in the present moment. Tuning into thoughts, bodily sensations, and emotions as they arise can help you to slow down, understand and name you experiences, and address your present needs. Mindfulness is not just meditation; it's a way of approaching experiences, whether those be pleasant or uncomfortable. I find that mindfulness supports self-compassion and emotional insight, and reduces stress, anxiety, and negative self talk. Mindfulness is also a great tool for improving physical health, sleep, and managing pain.
Psychodynamic
Using psychodyamic therapy, I act as partner to bring unconscious material to light that is influenced by life experiences, often early childhood, and attachment bonds. Using this perspective, I've helped individuals in connecting the past to present functioning, behaviors, and patterns of interaction. In doing so, my clients have been able to develop greater self awareness, release repressed emotions, feel more secure, and feel more satisfaction in relationships.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT to support you in understanding the relationship between your thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Using CBT, my clients have been able to develop a more balanced self-image, influence their emotional states in positive ways and change behavioral patterns that are no longer in alignment with their values. CBT has been especially helpful for treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Internal Family Systems offers individuals a way of understanding parts of themselves with gentleness and grace. Informed by IFS principles, I assist my clients with mapping their "parts" and identifying the roles that these different aspects of their personalities have had to play to keep themselves safe. The goal is decreased attachment to the pain of these parts, more self-compassion, and ability to act from the authentic Self.