I believe that we can heal attachment ruptures and learn to form healthy attachments in relationships with others and with ourselves. I am passionate about working with individuals and diverse relational systems on identifying needs and expectations in relationships, rebuilding trust from attachment ruptures, and addressing conflict and communication patterns. For clients interested in addressing intimate connection, aim to support clients with forming a healthy relationship with sex and intimacy and feeling empowered around their sexuality and needs.
We can get stuck in patterns, and the stakes can feel even higher when we are stuck in a negative pattern with people we deeply care about. I aim to help clients build communication and conflict management skills such as identifying and interrupting the conflict cycle to reduce the intensity and move towards connection and repair. My approach is to take a ‘birds eye view” the conversation and identify any of the ‘sticky points’ where disconnect occurs. Once we have identified the disconnect, I work with clients on building communication tools that best fit their needs.
Jena specializes in…
- Licensure
- MS, Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
- Clinical Supervisor: Alana R. Ogilvie, MS, LMFT, AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and Jessica Broderick, MA, MFT
- Degrees
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology – University of Oregon
- Master of Science, Couples and Family Therapy – University of Oregon
My Journey
Growing up, I gravitated toward using the power of communication as a form of connection and tool that can repair and resolve conflict. Through my personal therapeutic journey and exploring my identity as a transracial and transnational Chinese adoptee, I found that working with emotionally-focused therapy through an attachment-based lens resonated the most with me. I am inspired by our ability as humans to continue working toward forming healthy attachments in relationships, even if we have experienced an attachment rupture in the past.
In the past year, I have become especially passionate about my work pursuing an AASECT Sex Therapy certification. I enjoy working with clients wanting to explore ways to open up discussions and develop the tools to address mismatched desire from a sex-positive and empowering framework. I love dispelling myths around sex and desire, and supporting clients with bridging their intimate connection in a way that works best for them. There is no “right way” or “perfect frequency” other than the frequency and quality of intimacy that you and your partner(s) co-create. I love working with clients as they explore what kind of intimacy feels most connective, safe, and pleasurable.
As someone who has experienced a chronic illness that impacted my ability to engage in sex and intimacy with my partner, I have a special place in my heart around supporting people with exploring ways to navigate the emotional impact that illness can have on self-esteem and anxiety around intimacy. I found that working with my therapist for additional support around my experiences helped me to take control of my narrative and feel empowered to explore intimacy with myself and other ways to feel intimate connection with my partner. I also found that having therapeutic support allowed me to explore additional resources such as pelvic floor therapy that could help me heal from the medical trauma and sexual trauma resulting from the illness. I am a strong advocate for clients around medical concerns and ensuring they are feeling well resourced.
When I’m not working as a therapist, I am most likely finding some way to enjoy movement through dance. I love learning the aerial arts and pursuing a hobby where there is no personal gain, other than engaging in something that brings me joy. If I am not trying to fly on an aerial apparatus, I am spending time with my two cats or exploring new cafes in the area.
