New to Grow
My name is Jade Miller (they/them), and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) from Los Angeles. I earned my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California in 2018. I work with individual clients across the state via telehealth. I currently live in Portland, OR where I am attending law school. Outside of school and work, I enjoy trying new restaurants, traveling, seeing live music, shooting film photography, and spending time with my partner and my dog, Cali.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Our first session will be spent getting to know one another and discussing your experiences and expectations of therapy to help us both determine whether this feels like the right fit for your goals. My therapeutic approach is primarily strengths-based and client-centered; I am flexible in adjusting my clinical approach to best align with my client's needs. I do not believe in a cookie-cutter approach and recognize that each individual has unique needs, requiring me to ensure my approach fits what my client hopes to gain. I typically use a combination of approaches to help clients identify goals, understand how past experiences impact their present, and determine ways their internal resources and external supports can create positive change.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I am often told that my willingness to be open and transparent is what stands out to my clients. So many therapy and social work programs discourage clinicians/providers from sharing any information about themselves. Over time, my experience has taught me that when my clients feel like they know me as a person, it is easier to connect and build the trust that is necessary for us to effectively work together.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
My ideal clients are those who feel like my approach to this work is what they need to make progress towards their goals. I have extensive experience working with diverse age groups and cultural backgrounds. I primarily work with transition-age youth, adults, and older adults navigating life transitions, anxiety, and depression, exploring identity (gender, sexuality, race), or wanting to learn how to set and maintain boundaries for healthier interpersonal relationships. My communication style is gentle and transparent. I have a naturally calm demeanor and believe in meeting clients where they are. When a client is escalated or struggling to communicate, I ask questions to help them better express what they are feeling.
Compassion Focused
Many people struggle with self-criticism, guilt, and shame. I recognize how these thinking patterns can act as barriers to progress and utilize a compassion-focused approach to help clients challenge and overcome these thoughts to allow for more self-compassion and acknowledgement of their resilience.
Gender-affirming therapy
As a nonbinary therapist, it took me a long time to find a therapeutic space that felt affirming for me and I know that this is still true for many people. While my lived experience may align in some ways with the experiences of my clients, I also recognize that we are different. My goal is to provide a space that is affirming and allows clients to bring their full selves to therapy.
Humanistic
My first goal when working with a client is to provide them with a safe space to feel heard, validated, and even challenged. I believe that therapy is most effective when there is a foundation of trust and care and I strive to ensure that clients are given the space to feel like they can explore their feelings without fear of being judged.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
Engaging in therapy can be an empowering experience when clients feel like they have someone who is willing to partner with them to explore and navigate their challenges and collaborate on ways to overcome them. While I may have the education and professional experience, my clients are the experts when it comes to their own lived experience.