Hi! I’m Jamie Lavender, a psychotherapist in the Bay Area in California. I work in a friendly, supportive, and client-centered way that helps you feel safe to be yourself, get more grounded, and say the things you need to say. Maybe you have things to get off your shoulders or off your chest, things that weigh on you. Maybe venting to your friends or family hasn’t been helpful, or helpful enough. Or maybe it’s those very relationships that are causing you the most suffering! Or perhaps the relationship that troubles you is your relationship with a substance (which includes psychiatric medication, “street”/club drugs, opiates/pain meds, cannabis, cigarettes, and alcohol, among others) or with impulses to do things (like gambling or spending money). On that note: I have a lot of experience working with substance and impulse problems in a harm reduction way– that is, by working with people in whatever place they’re at with their substance use or other behavior, and finding ways to reduce the harms of those things in their lives. This may mean moderation, temporary (or longer) abstinence, continuing to use at the same level while exploring what’s happening in therapy, and/or a wide range of other possibilities. The important thing is helping you create change at your own pace, in ways that are both possible for you to do and sustainable into your future. Whether it’s these kinds of struggles and challenges, or those involving life changes, loss, parenting, romantic relationships, sexuality, cultures and identities, family issues, dealing with systems of privilege and oppression and their effects, spirituality, communication, dreams, trauma… all are welcome here. As is finding your own power, your own voice, and making room for new things to happen in your life. Thanks for reading, and look forward to hearing from you! Jamie