ABOUT

This page explains a little more about me, my background, the services I provide, and the approach I take when working with my clients.

APPOINTMENTS: Appointments are available in person and via Skype.

OFFICE HOURS: Monday-Saturday 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. PST., closed Sunday (except for emergencies).

FEE: $150.00/hour.

BACKGROUND & EXPERIENCE

I have run my own private therapy practice for 25 years working with people of all ages and backgrounds and I also have 20 years experience as a K-12 school counselor. I received my Bachelors of Arts degree from San Francisco State College majoring in International Relations, with a minor in Psychology, and my Master of Arts degree in Counseling from California State University, Fresno. I am a LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) in both California and Oregon.

LICENSES: Oregon LMFT #T0979, California LMFT#MCC32244

TREATMENT ISSUES: Grief work, anxiety and depression, survivors of abuse, trauma work, stress management, healing inner child, and life transitions.

THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES: Psychodynamic, Gestalt, Cognitive Behavioral and Jungian.

HOW I WORK

My mission is to assist people in finding their inner truth and purpose as we work on healing present life challenges and any wounds of the past that have precipitated these problem areas.

I work primarily with individuals using a psychodynamic approach. This means that while I work to ease the immediate problems and symptoms experienced by clients, I am also always asking the question, “What is really going on here and where did this pattern originate.”

In the first sessions I work with clients to understand their challenges and areas of concern by providing an emotionally safe and understanding environment. This phase can last two or three sessions and each session lasts about an hour. From the beginning I am suggesting interventions to help manage symptoms and improve the quality of their lives.

As treatment continues we explore how current symptoms may be repetitive patterns that need to be addressed, healed and cleared. This stage of therapy employs techniques such as inner child and dream work, art therapy, guided imagery and journaling. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is also available to clients who can come to my office. Bridging is another very effective treatment for early trauma that is impacting one’s current relationships and world. Here we create a bridge between the wounded inner child and the resources of their higher functioning adult. The goal here is to give the client tools so they can manage their life more effectively.

In the final stages of therapy we work to integrate new behaviors that more accurately meet a person’s needs and are healthier and more positive in their outcomes.

THANK YOU

Thank you for taking the time to read about me and my work. It is an honor and a long held dream to have a forum where I could share what I have learned in my 30 years of counseling children, adults and families. I am always excited to share my philosophy with others, and to offer my services to those who would like to work with me.

To read more about Judith Kennedy, please visit the Blog Page.