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My Approach
 

Each person is unique and I believe that therapy should be tailored to fit each individual client within a safe, trusting, empathetic, nonjudgmental and collaborative relationship. My client is the expert. My job is to walk alongside my clients and to gently guide them in finding a more positive and healthier path forward toward self-compassion and self-acceptance.

 

I believe that trauma is at the root of most mental/emotional challenges. Trauma can be very damaging to the self but it does not have to define who we are. The mind is a complicated thing. Our body remembers things that sometimes our rational brain does not. No amount of reasoning can make those uncontrollable emotions subside. We react emotionally to triggers we don’t even recognize or understand. Therapy can help us to identify those triggers. Psychoeducation can help us to understand how the brain works so that we can work towards healing the deep shame and feelings of unworthiness that are trying to shield us against a threat that may no longer exist. Our brains are wired to protect us against danger at all costs and it doesn’t always realize that the threat is gone. Sometimes we must go beyond talk therapy to heal these wounds.

 

I can help you to process and heal without having to relive the trauma over and over again. Together we can work with the parts of you that are trying to keep you safe. We will give those parts compassion and appreciation for getting you through those really tough times. We all have what we need inside ourselves to heal ourselves and together we will work to bring that unique, strong, loving self back to the surface.

  • Depression

  • Anxiety and Phobias

  • ADHD

  • OCD

  • PTSD

  • Difficulties with Self-Esteem

  • Stress Management

  • Eating Issues

  • Sexual Abuse

  • Relationship Difficulties

  • Life Transitions

  • Gender Identity Support

  • LGBT Counseling

  • Medical and Health Concerns

  • Cancer/ terminal illness​

  • Grief, Loss, or Bereavement

Jennifer Gustafson, M.A., AMFT 134719

EMDR  •  IFS  •  EFT  •  Person-Centered  •  ACT  •  Solution-Focused  •  Self-Havening 

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