Meet Jen

A woman with long blonde hair, smiling, wearing a black denim jacket and black pants, standing with arms crossed in front of a white textured wall.

I know what it's like to live under constant pressure — where stress isn't just an occasional challenge, but the norm. Before becoming a therapist, I worked in fast-paced, high-demand environments. I understand what it feels like to hold it all together on the outside while feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected on the inside.

Over time, that pressure seeps into everything — your relationships, your ability to slow down, and the way you talk to yourself. The drive to do more, be more, or keep up can quietly turn into self-doubt, perfectionism, or burnout. And eventually, what once felt like ambition starts to feel like survival.

For a long time, I thought that was just how life worked — that stress and overthinking were part of being a “high-functioning” person. But I’ve learned it doesn’t have to be that way.

My own experiences navigating complicated family dynamics, high-pressure careers, and personal growth have shown me the power of self-reflection, connection, and support. I became a therapist to offer others what I found invaluable: a space to pause, make sense of what's happening, and find a different way forward.

The patterns we’ve outgrown often become most noticeable right before we’re ready to let them go.

And that tension? It’s an invitation to do things differently.

Calm ocean with gentle waves and a clear sky during sunset or dusk.
Waves crashing against dark rocks on a stormy ocean shore with cloudy sky.

How I Work

I bring warmth, directness, and a bit of humor to the work — and a genuine belief that most people are more capable of change than they give themselves credit for. My approach is collaborative and pragmatic: in each session you can expect a balance of compassion and honesty, and I'll push you to look deeper when it's useful.

Grounded in psychodynamic and attachment-based principles, we spend time understanding where your patterns come from — how your history shows up in your relationships and decisions today — so you can start responding with more intention and less reactivity.

Our time together becomes a space to say the things that usually go unsaid, understand what's underneath them, and figure out how to move forward.

Next Steps

I know how important it is to feel a real connection with your therapist. If you’re curious about working together, I’d love to hear what’s been coming up for you and see how I can help.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Sessions are typically 50 minutes. For couples and families, longer sessions are available when needed.

  • Both. In-person in Santa Monica, and virtual for clients anywhere in California.

  • My fee varies depending on the type of service, and I offer a limited number of sliding scale spots. We’ll talk more about rates during the consultation call.

  • I don’t accept insurance directly, but I offer a few ways to support you in getting reimbursed through your out-of-network benefits.

    1. I can provide a superbill (an itemized receipt) that you can submit to your insurance provider.

    2. My practice works with a service called Mentaya, which helps simplify and streamline the reimbursement process. If we work together, I will help set you up on their platform.

  • Most clients start with weekly sessions, but we can adjust frequency depending on your goals, schedule, and what feels supportive.

  • Reach out via the contact form or email me directly. I offer a free 15-minute consultation to get a sense of fit before committing to anything.