Jessica Tang, LMFT
Message from Jessica
I've been working with individuals and families for about a decade in a variety of capacities. My experiences include working in early childhood education as a toddler and preschool teacher, in special education as a behavioral interventionist and supervisor, and in early intervention as a group therapy lead as well as program coordinator. I also have extensive experience with anxiety, depression, developmental delays, trauma, grief, and family systems working with adolescents, young adults, and adults. In addition to my practice, I am the Clinical Director for the Self-Injury Institute providing family therapy for self-injurers and an Adjunct Professor at Pepperdine University's Graduate School of Education and Psychology.
About Jessica's practice
Weekdays 9am - 5pm
Weekdays After 5pm
$$$
Sliding scale
Directive
Reflective
In-person available: Yes
Virtual available: Yes
Anxiety
Depression
Money-Related Stress
Career-Related Stress
Cultural Competence
Young Adulthood
Family Dynamics
OON only
CA
Why state matters
Get to Know Jessica
"Jess is an intelligent, thoughtful, and thorough therapist and educator. She constantly challenges herself to learn and grow with her clients and students. She is skilled at assessment of clinical issues, practical interventions, and addressing larger systemic problems to alleviate suffering and ensure sustainable change."
Mayra Diaz, LMFT, Colleague
"Jess is the Queen of Practical without losing compassion and understanding."
Angela Caldwell, LMFT, Colleague
How much do you share about yourself during our time together and why?
You may or may not know this, but therapists are often afraid to share about themselves in therapy as many of us were trained to avoid self-disclosure. Ultimately, this withholding can take away from the genuine human experience of a relationship--even if it is professional. I share bits and pieces of my life when they are likely to be a benefit to my clients whether it's how I struggled at certain times in my childhood or how I got through a tough fight with my partner the other day. My clients are not my therapist, so I am incredibly purposeful about what I discuss with the intention that my clients will take away something useful from my stories.
What led you to become a mental healthcare practitioner?
There is a concept from a psychoanalyst named Carl Jung called the "wounded healer," which as it sounds, indicates that those who are compelled to heal others do so because of the wounds they have from their own experiences. I think this rings true for many mental health professionals and this also resonates with me. I've dealt with depression, anxiety, and trauma personally and am fortunate to have found my way to health and happiness with the right supports helping me to get there. For me, I enjoy paying that forward whenever I can.
From your perspective, what is therapy?
Therapy is a space for reflection and understanding as well as a tool for growth and development. I believe that good therapy has an end of sorts. When the client and therapist have reached their goals... you don't need to be in therapy anymore. My hope as a therapist is that you will take what you've learned from it and apply it in your life, and if you need a check in, you can always come back around.