Meaningful Changes
Your mental well-being is critical to your ability to be productive, build meaningful connections, and enjoy life! Welcome, and thank you for taking the time today to explore if I may be a good fit for your needs.
Therapeutic Approach
I utilize an interpersonal & relational approach, layered with a multicultural lens, understanding that who we are as individuals will interact with the world around us in very distinct and meaningful ways that affects our overall mental health.
Therapy will begin by exploring your identity, history, struggles, and strengths so we can work together from a mutual place of understanding. Whether you come with a new problem or something from your past you’re ready to explore, we will develop a plan and goals for the time we have together.
I bring my personal values of authenticity and genuine social connections to my work as a therapist. You can expect to be greeted and held with warmth, empathy, and compassion as we explore the more difficult or painful parts of your present or past.
Experience
I have a specialization in process group therapy work, focusing on deepening personal insights and improving skills at connecting and maintaining relationships.
I have specialized experience and training working with LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families. I have offered LGBTQIA+ and Gender Diverse specific groups in the past. I have 25+ years of personal and professional allyship and advocacy with and for this community.
I have extensive experience helping people process and heal from childhood abuse and sexual trauma. I additionally work with depression, anxiety, social anxiety, stress, identity exploration, bipolar disorder, grief and loss, life transition, postpartum depression, parenting issues, and more.
About Me
I graduated with Honors with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. I then earned a Master's and Doctorate Degree in Psychology from the School of Professional Psychology at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. I completed my pre and post doctorate internships at the counseling centers at Cal Poly and Sonoma State Universities. I have been a licensed psychologist in the state of California since 2016, opening my private practice in 2019. I hold a certification in TeleMental Health from the Zur Institute. I have volunteered with Hospice, AIDS Resource Center (ARC), Safespace programs, and the SoCo Pride Parade. I am an active member of the California Psychological Association and am currently serving as the Secretary on the Board of Directors of the Redwood Psychological Association. I authored the Focused Brief Group Therapy Treatment Manual used globally to enhance the practice of brief therapy groups.
Treatment Options
Individual Therapy (accepting new patients): available in-person and remote through secure video platform.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): I am contracted with several EAP programs to offer time-limited services to covered individuals. Check your benefits for coverage.
Group Therapy: All groups meet for 1 to 1.5 hours weekly in Santa Rosa, CA. New members are required to meet once individually prior to joining to evaluate if group is an appropriate fit.
Groups Currently accepting new members:
*Focused Brief Group Therapy (FBGT): This is an introductory interpersonal process group that includes a pre-group screening, eight group meetings, and an individual de-briefing. Members gain rapid awareness of interpersonal patterns, and goals are developed to increase interpersonal flexibility in order to increase interpersonal effectiveness. Group sessions provide opportunities to further gain awareness of self and practice new ways of connecting to others, receiving feedback throughout the process.
Groups Coming soon (please call with interest):
*Newly Retired Group: This supportive, process-oriented, mixed-gender, long-term group is a safe place for high-functioning, psychologically minded adults to explore life transitions, self-care and intimacy issues. Members increase their awareness of patterns that do not work and explore new ways to create more satisfying relationships and meaning in their lives.
*New Mama Therapy Group: Isolation, depression, and anxiety are common in the post-pardum period and motherhood can also trigger patterns developed in childhood. This supportive psychotherapy group will allow members to share the challenges that come from a significant life transition as well as process their experiences from their families of origin. Mothers may bring infants up to 18 Months to the group.
*New Mama Drop-in Support Group: a supportive group environment to share birth stories and discuss the transition to motherhood. Mothers may bring infants up to 18 Months to the group.
*TransParent Support Group: a supportive environment for parents of transgender and gender diverse children of all ages. A place to learn, process your feelings, and gain support for yourself while supporting your own child/children.
*Process Group Therapy: This group will be available to members who complete FBGT or have previous process group experience and wish to continue with a long-term process group.
Health Insurance Coverage and Fees
I am not currently contracted with any insurance companies and would be considered an "out-of-network" provider for reimbursement purposes. I provide superbills, which may be submitted for out-of-network reimbursement from your insurance provider. Please contact your insurance for more information on out-of-network benefits and the process to submit claims for reimbursement. You may request a sliding scale fee during the initial consultation or at any time if your financial circumstances change. Full payment is due at time of service.
Dr. Jennifer Lotz, PsyD (she/her)
Psychologist