(she/her)
Hola and Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here. My name is Jen, and I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT #138920) based in Southern California. Whether you’re new to therapy or returning after some time away, I want to create a space where you feel seen, heard, and supported. A little about me—I’m a proud Xicana, a deep-thinking introvert, and someone who genuinely enjoys the calm and comfort of home. I earned my Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Mount Saint Mary’s University, where I focused on learning how to support individuals through life’s complex emotional experiences. My own life journey has deeply shaped the work I do, and I bring both personal insight and professional training to the healing space we’ll share.
Your first therapy session is an opportunity for us to begin building a safe, collaborative foundation for our work together. I understand that starting therapy can feel both hopeful and vulnerable, so I aim to create a space where you feel welcomed, respected, and at ease from the very beginning. We typically begin by reviewing important information about consent and confidentiality. I’ll walk you through what you can expect from therapy, your rights as a client, and the limits of confidentiality so you have a clear understanding of how your information is protected. This is also a space for you to ask any questions about the process, so you can feel informed and comfortable moving forward. From there, we move into an intake assessment. This is a structured but conversational process where I gather some background information to better understand you as a whole person. We may explore areas such as your current life circumstances, important relationships, family dynamics, and support system. I’ll also ask about your mental health history, any previous therapy experiences, medical background, and whether you are currently taking any medications. As part of standard care, we’ll briefly discuss safety, including questions related to mood, stress, and overall well-being. While this portion includes specific questions, I approach it with flexibility and care. You are always welcome to share at your own pace, and we can gently navigate any areas that feel more sensitive. A central part of our first session is understanding what brings you to therapy at this time. You’ll have space to share your current concerns, challenges, and anything that feels important for me to know. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, relationship patterns, life transitions, or simply feeling stuck, this is a space for your story to begin unfolding without judgment. As we begin to understand your experiences, we’ll also start identifying what you would like to gain from therapy. Together, we’ll explore your goals—these may be concrete or more open-ended, and they can evolve over time. This collaborative process helps guide our work and ensures that therapy remains aligned with your needs. We will also begin to get a sense of what working together might feel like. My approach is relational, meaning I value building a genuine, trusting connection with you. I may offer reflections, gentle questions, or initial insights to help deepen your awareness, while also supporting you in staying connected to your thoughts, emotions, and bodily experiences. By the end of the session, you can expect to have a clearer understanding of the therapy process, as well as a sense of whether this space feels like a good fit for you. You are always encouraged to share feedback or ask questions at any point—your voice is an important part of this work. Starting therapy is a meaningful step, and my intention is for you to leave the first session feeling supported, understood, and a little more grounded in where you are and where you’d like to go.
My work is rooted in a relational approach, which means I pay close attention to the connection we build in the therapy room. I view the therapeutic relationship as an important space where patterns can safely emerge, be explored, and begin to shift. Clients often find that they feel deeply seen and understood, while also gently challenged in ways that support growth. In addition to talk-based exploration, I integrate mindfulness and somatic practices to support nervous system regulation and deepen self-awareness. This might include grounding exercises, breathwork, or helping clients tune into physical sensations as a way of understanding their emotional experiences. These practices are especially helpful for clients who feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck in cycles of overthinking. I also support clients in reconnecting with their intuition and inner voice. Many of the individuals I work with are used to looking outward for validation or direction. Part of our work together involves strengthening self-trust—learning how to listen inward, set boundaries, and make choices that feel aligned rather than reactive. My approach tends to resonate with clients who are seeking a balance of depth and softness. I do not take a harsh or overly directive stance. Instead, I offer a steady, collaborative presence where clients can explore their experiences at a pace that feels safe, while still moving toward meaningful change. In terms of results, clients often report feeling more grounded, more connected to themselves, and more confident in their decision-making. They begin to notice shifts in how they relate to others—setting clearer boundaries, communicating more openly, and responding rather than reacting. Over time, many experience a greater sense of emotional clarity and resilience, along with a deeper understanding of who they are and what they need. Ultimately, my goal is to support clients in creating changes that feel sustainable and aligned with their values—not just temporary relief, but a more integrated and empowered way of moving through their lives.
I am best positioned to serve women—particularly women of color—who are emotionally insightful yet feel stuck in patterns that insight alone hasn’t shifted. Many of my clients come in navigating anxiety, low self-worth, boundary challenges, relationship difficulties, and the lingering impact of early relational wounds, including mother wounds. They often identify as deep feelers who are highly attuned to others but struggle to stay connected to themselves. My clients are typically in a transitional phase of life—outgrowing roles, relationships, or identities that no longer feel aligned. While they may appear high-functioning on the outside, internally they feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of their next steps. They are seeking more than symptom relief; they want to understand themselves on a deeper level and create meaningful, sustainable change. I work well with clients who value a relational and reflective approach to therapy. They are open to exploring their inner world, understanding how past experiences shape present patterns, and building a more grounded sense of self. Many are drawn to mindfulness and somatic-based practices, and are interested in developing a stronger connection to their intuition and body. Together, our work often focuses on strengthening self-trust, improving boundaries, processing relational wounds, and cultivating emotional regulation. My approach integrates insight with embodied practices, supporting clients in not only understanding themselves, but also experiencing change in a more felt, lasting way.
Relational
In our work together, I use a Relational Gestalt approach, which is all about connection—both with yourself and with others. At its core, this approach centers on building a safe, supportive relationship between us. Therapy can be a vulnerable process, and I strive to create a warm, respectful environment where you feel emotionally secure and empowered to explore whatever is coming up for you. As our therapeutic relationship deepens, we’ll work on increasing your awareness—of your thoughts, your emotions, your body, and the world around you. Understanding the ways these forces interact in your daily life can be incredibly powerful. With this awareness, you can begin to make choices that are more aligned with your values and your sense of self. I also integrate mindfulness, breathwork, and somatic practices into our sessions. These tools help you reconnect with your body and your present-moment experience, which is essential when you're working through anxiety, stress, or emotional pain. These practices aren’t about “fixing” you—they’re about helping you tune in, listen closely, and respond with compassion to what you find within. We’ll also explore how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. Often, the patterns we developed to survive earlier in life may no longer serve us today. By gently bringing these patterns into awareness, we can begin to shift them—creating space for new ways of being that support your growth and healing.