Jody Pratt

Welcome! As a Marriage and Family Therapist, licensed in California and Arizona, my approach to therapy is holistic and systemic. That means I see you as a human being with many dimensions who comes from a unique historical context and currently lives in a complex situation. I typically work with individuals dealing with trauma, anxiety or depression and couples facing stubborn conflict areas and disconnection. Many of my adult clients have difficult or less than ideal parents.

My approach

My theoretical orientation begins and ends with Family Systems. I understand people, their emotions and behaviors as a product of how your upbringing – and how you responded to it – interacts with your current context. This does not mean we spend all our time talking about your childhood, but your upbringing does inform how you operate now. It is up to you what you choose to share and how much you want to tell me, however, your success will be impacted by how comfortable you are being open and honest. Healing, growth, and transformation will only occur if we acknowledge your specific state of affairs and work within its limitations and make use of all its strengths because any change you make will have ripple effects on those connected to you and vice versa. I make use of other approaches including Trauma-Focused, Emotions-Focused, Restoration, CBT, Client-Centered, and Strengths-Based modalities as is appropriate.

My focus

As stated above, I typically work with individuals who report anxiety, depression or trauma. I also work with couples who are having difficulty resolving conflict, experienced trauma, or are struggling to connect. I am a cisgender white female, but like you, I am not just my orientation or ethnicity. I may also be the right therapist for you if you are dealing with: maternal mental health (including infertility), racism, family conflict, abuse, lack of motivation, becoming an adult, transitioning from one season of life to another, a complex medical diagnosis, life after COVID-19, or unacceptance in any form. I see clients with an array of other issues too, but these are some that you might not know I have specific experience with unless I tell you.

My communication style

My style is curious, honest, and direct. You will hopefully feel that I am genuinely interested in understanding and hearing you. I will not do all the talking but neither will you. I am acutely aware that often what people come to therapy to address is not simple or easy to talk about because it’s very painful and personal. Other times, it’s that you have tried to talk about it, but it’s not helping or you’re not heard. I create an environment that is safe for you to be honest out loud. I give you space to sort things out verbally if you’re not quite sure how to put it in words yet. I will recognize the significance of what you are sharing and will not simplify, minimize or assume. If we’re doing it right, you might feel exhausted when your session ends, but lighter and freer … and most of all heard.

My journey to mental healthcare

There were two events that prompted me to consider becoming a therapist. The first was a boating accident I was in, but it wasn’t the accident itself. It was how poorly people responded and how unable they were to care for me appropriately afterward. The second was being out of the country when 9/11 happened. Again, it wasn’t that I was out of the country, it was that my experience of the event was different than the majority of family and friends and it isolated me. I wanted to learn about what it is that people actually need when they are hurting or experiencing something significant and emotional. Of course, when I went to graduate school I learned that and so much more. What continues to drive me to do this work is being part of helping others connect with themselves and others in ways that bring healing and growth.

My goals for you

We will initially talk about what your life will look like if therapy is successful, but I will join you where you are and make use of specific goals and tasks if and when they are helpful to your progress. The amount of work you do in and between sessions is up to you. Therapy is for you to heal and grow. We will move at your pace.

My first session with you

I see the first two sessions combined as your “first session” in two parts. The first part will be to explore whether we are a good match for working together, gather a bit of background information, and complete required paperwork. The second part will be for us to dig into what brings you to therapy and begin making headway toward your desired outcomes. I will always strive to meet you where you are and match your pace, but I won’t hold you back when you’ve come here for help. We’ll get right to it.