Licensed to practice in California and accepts 39 insurances. Specializes in Grief, Military/Veterans, Trauma and PTSD and 9 more.
(he/him)
Often rebooked
My name is Jacob Garel, a licensed marriage and family therapist with a unique background in the military as a Pararescueman. With 20 years of experience serving and saving lives, I bring a deep understanding of crisis situations and a passion for helping individuals and families in need. Specializing in psychodynamic, Rogerian, and existential approaches. Whether it's grief work, PTSD therapy, or accompanying you on your mental health journey, I am dedicated to walking beside you every step of the way.
In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions, then dive into the specific challenges you're facing. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions.
As a mental health therapist, my unique background as a retired veteran with 20 years of experience in rescue operations sets me apart. My firsthand exposure to the complexities of human nature in war zones equips me with a deep understanding of trauma and resilience, allowing me to offer a distinctive perspective and empathetic approach to supporting individuals facing overwhelming mental health challenges. My transition from physical to mental rescue work demonstrates a profound commitment to helping others navigate and heal from difficult experiences.
I provide compassionate support to first responders, police, military personnel, families, couples and anyone in need of support.
Other specialties
I identify as
Cash - $150 per session
Aetna
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Amerihealth Administrators
Anthem
Arlo
AvMed
Blue Cross
Blue Shield
Centivo
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Evernorth
Golden Rule
GTEB
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Scripps Health Plan
Sharp Health Plan
Surest (formerly Bind)
Tufts Health/Cigna
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Psychodynamic
I focus on exploring unconscious thoughts and past experiences to understand and address current psychological issues.
Attachment-based
I use attachment theory to explore how early relationships with caregivers influence an individual's patterns of relating to others. By understanding a client's attachment style, I can help them develop healthier relationships and address underlying attachment-related issues.
Existential
In existential therapy, I help clients explore the meaning of their existence, freedom, responsibility, and mortality. I use this approach focus on helping clients find purpose and authenticity in their lives by confronting existential concerns and choices.
Brainspotting
In Brainspotting, I help clients process and release trauma by identifying eye positions, or "brainspots," that are linked to emotional or somatic distress. By focusing on these spots while recalling traumatic experiences, clients can access and process unresolved emotions and memories stored in the brain.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
In Person-Centered (Rogerian) therapy, I provide a supportive and nonjudgmental environment for clients to explore their feelings, thoughts, and experiences. I emphasize empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness to help clients develop self-awareness, self-acceptance, and personal growth.
1 rating with written reviews
June 6, 2025
Jacob has been amazing, I really value and trust his perspective on things. I know that he can also help me find new ways of looking at things