Justine Gordon, AMFT #126587
"Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack, a crack in everything That's how the light gets in..." - Leonard Cohen
Addressing the difficulties in one's life can be challenging; however, doing so can lead to a journey of self-discovery, growth, change and living a more genuine and fulfilling life.
My name is Justine Gordon and I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist under the supervision of Hong Jeong, LCSW #87224. I received my bachelor's degree in dance at Pitzer College and completed two years of pre-med at Loyola Marymount University and two years of medical school at Western University of Health Sciences. During medical school, I discovered that my true calling was in the field of psychotherapy. I earned my Master's in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy at Pepperdine University. I have trained and provided therapy at Jump Street, a crisis residential treatment program run by Didi Hirsh Mental Health Services, and at Airport Marina Counseling Services, a nonprofit community based mental health clinic.
I believe every client is unique and deserves to be listened to and understood in a thoughtful, intentional, and empathetic way. I am passionate about creating a safe, kind, collaborative, and judgment-free space where clients can learn more about themselves, attain new insights, experience new feelings, and find a renewed sense of physical and mental well-being.
I have expertise in working with individuals struggling with grief, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and relational conflict. In my work, I particularly draw from psychodynamic therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. I believe that past experiences and traumas dating back to childhood strongly influence the way we feel about ourselves and others and that in order to change these feelings we must first bring them into consciousness. I will prompt you to explore your past and listen for repeating patterns that might be dictating current relationships and functioning. My approach to processing trauma involves attending to not only the mind but also the body and to facilitating you in uniting the two. I also believe that maladaptive or irrational thoughts strongly influence how we feel and behave. By exploring and challenging these thoughts, the goal would be for you to overcome unhelpful and unwanted symptoms and begin to lead a life in which you feel more connected to yourself, others and the world.
TRAUMA AND PTSD:
Past traumas have a way of resurfacing, sometimes when least expected. Feelings of guilt, fear, anger, shame, and agitation can result. These symptoms are a normal response to a traumatic event and can be overwhelming, confusing, and scary; however, the pain you are experiencing does not define you and it is possible to heal. I have experience and training working with those struggling with past traumas of childhood abuse and neglect, sexual abuse, domestic violence, and combat.
RECLAIMING YOUR POWER:
Trauma can cause you to end up being overwhelmed by your feelings or the reverse, blocking feelings altogether. Although it can be extremely difficult, directly processing your past or present trauma can lead to these events no longer holding the same degree of emotional power. Together, we will work toward a deep understanding of the trauma you have experienced, the feelings engendered, and the impact this has on your relationships and life. In order to gain control of the present moment, I will teach you grounding techniques in several categories: physical, mental, and soothing. These techniques will help you strike a balance between intense emotions and emotional numbness and allow difficult emotions to be tolerated and accepted.
Through the work we do together, my aim is that you learn about the effects of PTSD and trauma, regain safety in your life, learn to cope with day-to-day problems, protect yourself from unhealthy people or situations, set boundaries, ask for help, learn self-compassion and build healthy habits. My hope is that I can guide you to a renewed sense of empowerment and control over your life.
DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY:
Anxiety and depression come in many forms and can cause a wide array of symptoms. Fatigue, lack of motivation and concentration, changes in appetite or sleep, restlessness, and racing thoughts can all be signs that something deeper is going on. Knowing what the symptoms of anxiety and depression look like for you is the first step towards healing.
Life can be so busy and stressful and it often feels necessary to sweep thoughts, feelings, and past hurt under the rug in order to keep on going the way we have been. Generally, these things at some point catch up to us, and confronting them head-on can bring much-needed relief. I am here to facilitate you in gaining the tools to help yourself through this process. We will collaborate on the best path forward for your needs. I will work with you on building a toolbox full of coping strategies such as breathing techniques and problem-solving and assertiveness skills. We might also explore some of the deeper feelings and thoughts behind some of the symptoms you are experiencing. Together, I have confidence we can tackle anything.
EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENTS:
I have experience and training in a variety of evidence-based treatments including; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Seeking Safety, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) provides a way to manage challenges by looking at and changing the way you think. CBT is most commonly used to treat anxiety and depression.
Seeking Safety: Seeking Safety is a present-focused therapy model that aids people in gaining safety from trauma/PTSD and/or substance abuse.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a cognitive therapy that focuses on teaching four sets of behavioral skills: mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotion regulation.
Psychodynamic Therapy: Psychodynamic Therapy brings awareness of the parts of oneself that are not currently in conscious awareness through exploration of the past, self-reflection, and the interpersonal relationship between client and therapist.
I provide individual therapy sessions for 50 minutes; the fee for a session is $130.
If you would like me to join you on your journey to a more consciously healthy approach to living, please schedule your free 20-minute consultation. I look forward to connecting with you. Feel free to contact me for a free 20-minute consultation. I am looking forward to working with you, please contact me with any questions. Thank you!