Hi, I’m Jahvon (juh-von) Pierre or you can call me "Jae". I graduated from Cal State University, East Bay in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and in 2020, I earned my Master of Science in Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from San Diego State University. I have an extensive history in psychology and human development and I have been practicing for a little over 6 years.
In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions and then explore a bit about the history of your life, beginning with the question, "Why therapy and why now?" This will help me understand the challenges you're facing and what brought you to this point, so we can create a tailored plan to guide our work in future sessions.
Having worked with clients of all ages for the past 6 years, I’ve found particular joy in working with teenagers, who often bring their authentic selves into the therapeutic space almost immediately. I pride myself on creating a nonjudgmental, caring, and warm environment where all of my clients feel safe and supported. My approachable and easygoing nature helps clients open up, fostering genuine connection and meaningful growth.
I love working with clients who value a warm, supportive environment where they feel truly seen and joined in their journey. At the same time, I appreciate when clients are open to being gently challenged and held accountable for the changes they want to see in their lives. I enjoy collaborating with those who are ready to put in the effort—or are at least willing to learn how to take the first steps—while sharing moments of humor and connection along the way.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns, emotions, and behaviors to promote healthier mental well-being. In therapy, this involves helping clients recognize automatic negative thoughts, reframe them into more balanced alternatives, and take actionable steps to align their behaviors with their goals or values. Techniques like psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, and exposure therapy are used to address challenges collaboratively, often supported by homework assignments to reinforce progress between sessions.
Emotion-focused therapy helps clients identify, explore, and process their emotions to foster healing and growth. In therapy, I guide clients in recognizing and validating their emotional experiences, deepening their understanding of what these feelings reveal about their needs and values. By creating a safe space for emotional expression and working through difficult emotions, clients can develop healthier ways to manage their feelings and strengthen their emotional resilience.
Narrative therapy focuses on helping clients explore and re-author the stories they tell about themselves and their experiences. In therapy, I guide clients in identifying dominant narratives that may feel limiting or negative and work with them to uncover alternative stories that highlight their strengths, values, and resilience. Through this process, clients can separate themselves from their problems, gain new perspectives, and build empowering narratives that align with their preferred identity and future.
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative approach that helps clients explore and resolve ambivalence about change. In therapy, I use open-ended questions, reflective listening, and affirmations to elicit clients' own motivations and strengths, empowering them to make decisions that align with their goals. By fostering a nonjudgmental and supportive environment, I help clients build confidence in their ability to create meaningful and lasting change.
Psychodynamic therapy focuses on uncovering unconscious patterns and exploring how past experiences influence current behaviors and relationships. In therapy, I help clients examine recurring themes, unresolved conflicts, and the role of early attachments in shaping their thoughts and emotions. By bringing these insights to awareness, clients can work through underlying issues, develop healthier relational patterns, and foster deeper self-understanding.