Many of my clients would like to get to know me:

About Me

Hi there! My name is Dr. Jackie (she/her/hers) and I'm originally from Minnesota (brrrr!) but have been living on the West Coast since 2005. I'll always have a special place in my heart for the Midwest and will always consider myself a Minnesotan at heart. I have, however, very much enjoyed all that California has to offer. I didn't discover my love for hiking and being outdoors until I moved here. In my spare time I enjoy road trips, discovering new hiking trails, spending time with my husband and daughter, watching our dog and cat's antics. I'm pretty much obsessed with coffee and playing Scrabble.

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty" - Maya Angelou

My Path Toward Becoming a Therapist.

My interest in all things psychology started pretty early on, as long as I can remember. It took me a little while to decide to really pursue the path to becoming a therapist. Through my own self-discovery process, my own therapy, and really acknowledging my strengths and abilities, did I really come to that decision.

Throughout my experiences, both personally and professionally, I have found that I have a special interest in helping those suffering from anxiety/panic, low self-esteem/self-worth, and chronic pain issues. Being drawn to these specialties came natural, as I have personally grappled with them. Chronic migraines were a constant occurrence since I was 9 years old. It has been a journey to say the least, as I have found myself trying every treatment under the sun that I was aware of. I have seen a multitude of doctors, from conventional medicine to holistic and naturopathic approaches. Additionally, I have struggled with anxiety, depression, and feelings of low self-worth. I have come to realize that there is hope and it doesn't have to feel overpowering or isolating.

What I want you to know is that I see you. I get it. I also understand that your journey will be different than mine. This is what makes you truly unique.

My Approach

There are several evidence-based therapeutic approaches that I utilize in my practice, that have been proven effective for chronic pain, anxiety and depression. Cognitive-behavioral (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness-based therapy. I am currently in the process of obtaining a certification in Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT). While I incorporate these theoretical backgrounds as anchors in my work, I believe that the most important part of healing is the therapeutic relationship. This means that I very much emphasize the importance of my clients feeling heard, seen, validated and safe in their therapeutic process. It is from there, that real positive changes can occur.

Education & Credentials

 

Doctor of Marital & Family Therapy (Psy.D.) - The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Irvine, California.

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in state of California: Lic. 101983.

Masters of Arts in Couple & Family Therapy (M.A.) - Alliant International University, Irvine, California.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (B.A.) - Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona.

A note on yoga...

Yoga is a mental, spiritual, and physical practice that has been clinically shown to be effective in the treatment of chronic pain, anxiety and self-esteem issues. It is something near and dear to my heart. I first discovered it around 2002, and I completed a yoga teacher training program and have taught classes. (I even wrote my dissertation on the topic of yoga for chronic pain!) If this is of interest to you, I can bring yoga principles and techniques (such as deep breathing, etc.) into the therapy room.