Asking for help is difficult, but it is not a sign of weakness. Seeking therapy may be the best thing you can do for yourself and your loved ones. I can help you achieve happiness in your daily life and relationships, reduce stress and live a positive and fulfilling life. Research shows that the most effective element in producing meaningful therapeutic change is the relationship between client and therapist. I am extremely passionate about connecting with my clients in a way that is comfortable and safe for them, while still challenging them to move forward toward their own goals.
The Practice
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice. My practice specializes in helping male clients face life challenges affecting their relationships, professional life and personal well-being. Integrated into all of my therapeutic work is a focus on the nervous system and body, and how trauma and the stress response affect our physical and mental states.
When working with clients, I use a wide range of research-based modalities, including but not limited to cognitive behavioral therapy, neuroplasticity brain retraining techniques and nervous system regulation techniques rooted in Polyvagal Theory. However, my primary concern is always connecting with my clients to determine the appropriate approach to help them reach their goals in lieu of forcing them to fit a theory or set of step-by-step instructions.
Treatment of Individual, Relational and Professional Issues Uniquely Suited for Males.
Today’s society expects males to fulfill a specific cultural role, which often implies that reaching out to others means that they are somehow weak. This false stereotype has traditionally kept men from seeking help during difficult or stressful times. I use a collaborative yet respectfully direct approach to connect with many of my male clients. Although much of my practice focuses on challenges unique to male clients, I also see a wide range of clients including individual females, couples (typically after initially working with one partner individually) and adult families. We can tackle issues such as:
- Anxiety, Depression, Chronic Illness
- Divorce & Break-ups
- Communication Issues
- Stress & Anger Management
- Family Counseling with Adult Children
- Trauma, Childhood Sexual Abuse & PTSD
- Boundaries, Co-dependency & Love Addiction
- Work, Career & Breadwinner Issues
Nervous System Regulation and Neuroplasticity
Many traditional therapy models solely focus on verbal discussion of past trauma or current stressors. While this type of catharsis can be a welcome release from time-to-time, many clients are stuck in an exaggerated activation of the stress response in their brains and nervous systems. This FFF (fight, flight, freeze) stress response, rooted in previous emotional or physical trauma, can lead to many unwanted physical and emotional symptoms including depression, panic attacks, chronic pain, insomnia, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, gut problems, chemical and food sensitivities, etc.
The beauty about our brains and nervous systems is that they can be rewired and regulated! I work with my clients to heal the debilitating emotional and physical aftereffects of trauma and/or difficult experiences.
About
Born and raised in Las Vegas, I spent ten challenging years working in the Architecture and Construction industry. While I thoroughly enjoyed the intensity involved in designing and constructing buildings, I found myself mesmerized by how people’s thoughts dictated their emotions, behavior and ultimately their business and personal relationships. Through my graduate studies and clinical work, my fascination with human behavior deepened even further. But it wasn’t until I experienced a relentless chronic illness that I was able to gain a deep understanding of the brain and nervous system, and how interconnected they are with the body.
When I am not in the office, I love to stay very active outdoors and inside the gym. I’m also passionate about traveling with my husband, snuggling with my dog Dexter, watching VGK hockey and attending comedy shows.
- M.S., Marriage & Family Therapy, University of Nevada Las Vegas
- B.S., Construction Engineering Management, Univeristy of Nevada Las Vegas
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) - Clinical Fellow
- Certified Bulletproof Human Potential Coach
- American Association for Sexuality Educators Counselors and Therapists (AASECT)
- Delta Kappa Zeta, Marriage & Family Therapy Honor Society
- Certificate in Positive Neuroplasticity – Dr. Rick Hanson Expert Course
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) - Trained Clinician
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 1 - Trained Clinician
- Gottman Treating Affairs and Trauma - Trained Clinician
- Bessel Van Der Kolk: The Body Keeps the Score - Trauma Mastery Course
- PREPARE/ENRICH Marital Assessment - Trained Facilitator
- Hertlein, K. M., Blumer, M. L. C., & Mihaloliakos, J. H. (2014). Marriage & family counselors' perceived ethical issues related to online therapy. The Family Journal, 1-8.
- Hertlein, K. M., & Desruisseaux, J. H. (2012). Online intimacy problems. In Z. Yan (Ed.), Encyclopedia of cyber behavior. Hershey, PA: ICI Global.
- Desruisseaux, J., Fader, N., & Wingo, A. (2012). Intervention exchange: Rad reward card. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 23(2), 159-162.
Rates, Office Hours & Payments
Rate
$175 per 50-Minute Individual Session
$200 per 50-Minute Couples or Family Session
Insurance
I do not bill insurance companies at this time. Your insurance plan may accept me as an "Out of Network Provider". I would be happy to give you a bill to submit for reimbursement - please contact your insurance company to determine if this option is available.
Payment
Cash, check and all major credit cards (via PayPal) accepted for payment.
Office Hours
Tuesday - Friday by appointment only. Telephone and virtual sessions available upon request.
Cancellation Policy
Please notify us at least 24 hours in advance if you cannot attend your scheduled appointment. If proper notification is not received, you will be billed in full for the missed session.
Make a Payment
Recommended Resources
I have a number of books and podcasts that my clients find useful. If you would like to locate one or more of these online, just click below.
Contact Jen
To schedule an individual, couples, or family therapy appointment or to obtain additional information about any of these counseling services, please fill out the form below or give me a call.