Hi there, and welcome! I’m Jennifer, a licensed therapist and certified eating disorder specialist with over a decade of experience in the mental health field. Supporting individuals on their journey to healing and self-discovery is my passion, and I’m honored to walk alongside you as you navigate life’s challenges. I graduated from Cal State Fullerton in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Minor in Queer Studies. I later returned to Cal State Fullerton to receive my master’s degree in Counseling and graduated in 2018. Most recently I completed a PsyD in Marital and Family Therapy from The Chicago School in 2024. My journey to becoming a therapist is deeply personal and shaped by my lived experience as a BIPOC woman who was adopted. Growing up navigating questions of identity, belonging, and connection, I developed a profound understanding of the complexities that come with these experiences. These challenges ignited my passion for supporting others in their healing journeys. I understand how powerful it can be to feel seen and heard, and that drives my commitment to creating a safe, affirming space for those I work with.
In our first session we will spend some time going over specifics of the therapy process, gathering information, getting to know each other, and identifying some possible goals for the therapeutic work.
I believe my greatest strength lies in my ability to create a safe, affirming, and nonjudgmental space where clients can explore their thoughts and emotions freely. I prioritize building a strong therapeutic relationship rooted in trust, empathy, and mutual respect, ensuring you feel truly seen, heard, and valued. In this space, you can unpack life’s challenges, connect with your authentic self, and work toward meaningful growth at your own pace. My goal is to provide a foundation where healing and self-discovery can flourish.
DBT provides a structured framework that combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness strategies, offering clients practical skills to regulate emotions, improve communication, and cultivate a more balanced and fulfilling life. By incorporating DBT into therapy, I aim to collaboratively work with clients towards enhancing emotional resilience, fostering interpersonal effectiveness, and promoting a deeper understanding of oneself, ultimately facilitating lasting positive change and growth.
MI is designed to evoke and strengthen one's intrinsic motivation for positive change by exploring ambivalence and guiding clients towards self-discovery. Through empathetic listening, reflective questioning, and affirming autonomy, the therapeutic process with MI fosters a safe and non-judgmental space.
Multicultural counseling involves a deep appreciation for the influence of culture, ethnicity, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and other dimensions of identity on a person's worldview and mental health. By integrating culturally sensitive strategies, my goal is to explore, acknowledge, and honor the unique strengths and challenges that arise within the context of each individual's cultural background. The intention is to promote cultural competence, foster a sense of belonging, and ensure that therapy is a safe and affirming experience for all clients.