"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." -- Maria Robinson
Why Choose Therapy?
It's no secret that life can get pretty messy. Sadness, anger, confusion, and even shame can creep in and stop us in our tracks.
It may be difficult for you to reach out for help -- especially towards a stranger.
But when you find the right fit in a psychotherapist, he or she can help guide
you through those challenges and reach your personal goals. Consider a woman named Julia, who realized that she needed to make a brave step towards healing:
Julia thought she would love
motherhood. But the truth is, mothering has worn down her body, her mind, and
her spirit.
She is not fully living, and wonders
who she is supposed to be now. Sometimes, like Julia, we try to "tough it
out" on our own, and sometimes we have an amazing support system lean on.
But sometimes, the struggle is just too much for you or your loved ones to
carry. Thankfully, Julia found hope in the process of working with a therapist.
She found her new authentic self, connected more with her family, and
ultimately thrived.
My passion is for women of all ages and
cultures to move forward again when they feel stuck, and to re-write the
direction of their own stories. In particular, I have specialized training in
Maternal Mental Health, including prenatal and postpartum depression/anxiety,
birth trauma, grief, infertility, and parenting.
I invite you to explore how
psychotherapy can facilitate healing, transformation, and empowerment in your
life - and ultimately, your entire family's life. Please read more about my
services on my website, and reach out with a call or email anytime!
My hope -- and primary goal as a therapist -- is for you to move forward again -- to transform the "mess" into a new, different, and better life. Background and Clinical Interests
I am a licensed clinical psychologist in California (PSY 24734), and earned my doctorate in clinical psychology at Azusa Pacific University. Prior to private practice, I primarily trained and worked in a variety of community mental health settings, working with children, adolescents, families, and adults in diverse, multicultural environments. I have a tremendous heart for recognizing and integrating cultural factors in therapy, and will do the same with you.
The following briefly describes my clinical interests and specialties:
Maternal Mental Health: I have specialized training in maternal mental health and compassion for women who are facing or struggling with the following issues:
Pregnancy: anxiety, depression, trauma, high-risk pregnancy
Postpartum: anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, trauma
Birth trauma
NICU trauma
Infertility
Grief/loss
Multiples
Parenting: No matter how many parenting books you read or blogs posted on social media, the complications of parenting your unique child can be beyond challenging! My aim is to help parents work towards a healthier, more cooperative, and more intimate relationship with their children. I do this by primarily addressing parental triggers and internal processes that are preventing you from developing the relationship you desire with your child(ren). Much of my training and experience has been with children and adolescents, and I have come to believe that working directly with parents will empower them towards developing more effective communication, discipline, and connection among all family members.
Family Therapy: We are relational by nature, and often, our "individual" problems stem from interpersonal difficulties. Whether there are challenges with your partner, your parent, or your child (or all three!), couples and/or family therapy can help you find healthier and more meaningful ways of relating to one another.
Adult Therapy: My training, experience, and clinical interests with adults include the following:
My Approach
My therapeutic approach is holistic, meaning I will assess and treat all parts of your life -- physical, emotional, mental, social, cultural, occupational, etc. -- because I believe all of these parts work together as a system and affect one another. I see you not only as an individual, but as somebody who exists in relationships with others and the environment around you. Therefore, treatment and therapy will address these aspects of your life as well. One aspect of my overall approach is to address your immediate concerns and engage in problem-solving with you. This will look different for each person, based on your unique needs. For example, I can help you identify and engage in healthier coping skills, such as mindfulness, stress reduction, and more effective communication with others. The second aspect is to go deeper with you (should you choose to do so) -- to identify the meaning and origin behind your choices and behavior, such as exploring your family-of-origin and core beliefs/values. I believe it is crucial for each of us to continually gain insight and self-awareness in order to actually enact change and be truly transformed.
If you choose to embark with me on a journey towards change, I assure that you will be met with safety and acceptance. We will identify tangible goals for you to strive towards, develop a collaborative relationship to meet those goals, and ultimately, experience your growth together.
Feel free to visit my website (www.jeanneclevenger.com) to learn more, and please feel free to contact me today to discuss your options. I look forward to meeting you soon!