I practice primarily using expressive arts, mindfulness-based, and dialectical behavioral therapy strategies. In my work with children and adults, I am passionate about incorporating play therapy modalities (ie. sandtray, Child-centered play therapy) and expressive arts techniques. I have seen firsthand the healing power of a relationship between a child and play therapist. I provide a warm and non-judgmental relationship where there is support, confidentiality, and trust. I help my clients to identify and work on goals that are their own, and believe that all people have an innate capacity for growth and healing. I have availability during the daytime and during the school year, I can accommodate late nights to provide evening and after-school sessions. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who graduated from University of Southern California in 2015. I currently primarily provide therapeutic support to children with a variety of emotional and social needs. I have experience working with children and families within the child welfare system as well as working with clients with a variety of needs and diagnoses in their schools, homes, communities, and inpatient settings. I have more than eight years of experience supporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities, as well as their families. Additionally, I have experience in the following areas: - Social skills - Depression - Anxiety - Mood disorders - Parenting - ADHD - LGBTQ+ topics - Intimate partner violence
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session, we'll introduce ourselves to one another and start to discuss some of the specific challenges you're facing, and any goals you may be hoping therapy will help you work towards. This will help me create a plan for us to follow through in future sessions. These initial sessions will be 60 minutes - they tend to move by very quickly!
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Since I was a child, I have thrived on connecting and having deep discussions with others. I am authentic, am not afraid to have a sense of humor and personality, and ultimately strive meet my clients where they are. Rather than talking the talk, I prefer to walk the walk; I have worked on myself through the years while supporting others, and always recognize the shared experiences above the differences between myself and those I work with. I understand the importance of healthy boundaries, self advocacy, and other interpersonal skills. I use many of the skills and/or have used and benefitted from many in the past, which I now share with clients.
About Jade Vega, LCSW-C, C-DBT, ASDCS
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Virtual & in-personMy treatment methods
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is designed to provide skills for managing intense emotions and negotiating social relationships; it consists of group instruction and individual therapy sessions, both conducted weekly for six months to a year. When I discovered DBT, I was immediately drawn in by the approach due to its inherent assumption that people are not 'broken' and therefore do not need 'fixing' - however, they can benefit from learning skills that help them navigate relationships more effectively, better cope with distress and emotional dysregulation, and approach life in a more balanced and mindful manner. Who can benefit from DBT? DBT has been shown to be effective for adolescents & adults with a variety of mental health difficulties. This includes: - People with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder - People with Borderline Personality Disorder - People who exhibit suicidal and self-harm behaviors - People with eating disorders - People with dependence on substances
Play Therapy
“For children, toys are their words and play is their language” - I use play and toys in general, as such, in my work with children. Anything I have in my room, I have for a specific reason so that the child can use it as a tool to express themselves in whatever way they choose to.
Sandplay
I have a virtual sandplay app, which you are welcome to explore. I am also open to using some extensive Google Slides sandtray decks I have acquired over the years. In person, I have hundreds of miniatures for sandplay that children and adults can use to express themselves. With sandplay, we are creating a space for the unconscious to manifest. This is a nonverbal intervention that I firmly believe could benefit almost anybody.
Motivational Interviewing
I was trained in my graduate program primarily on using motivational interviewing (MI), and naturally incorporate elements of it throughout my practice, especially at intakes. A 'motivational interviewer' encourages clients to talk about their need for change and their own reasons for wanting to changeThe role of the interviewer is mainly to evoke a conversation about change and commitment. The interviewer listens and reflects back the client’s thoughts so that the client can hear their reasons and motivations expressed back to them. Motivational interviewing is generally short-term counseling that requires just one or two sessions, though it can also be included as an intervention along with other, longer-term therapies.