About Me

My name is Jennifer Patterson, I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California. At the core of my practice is a commitment to destigmatizing and decolonizing mental health, as I firmly believe that mental well-being is a fundamental right. Recognizing the importance of marginalized identities, I actively engage in owning my own identity and privilege. 

My therapeutic approach is anchored in values of compassion, equity, and empowerment, shaped by an intersectional feminist lens. Utilizing AEDP, IFS, and EFT, I offer affirming and integrative care, particularly for the LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent communities. Whether working with adults or adolescents in individual, relationship, or family therapy, my goal is to foster human connection and support, emphasizing that no one is alone in their journey. 

On a personal note, I identify as queer and neurodivergent and am deeply passionate about serving the ND and LGBTQ+ communities. Outside the therapy room, I find joy in the company of my four dogs (I might be a bit obsessed) and celebrate the spirit of Halloween. Committed to continuous growth, I hold a Master of Arts in Couple and Family Therapy from Alliant International University and am currently pursuing my PhD. My diverse training includes AEDP, EMDR, IFS, Gottman Method, and EFT, with a focus on Gender Affirming Care, Trans Youth Care, and Neurodiverse Affirming Care. Let's embark on this journey together—you are not alone.

My View of Therapy

I believe therapy is not about fixing what’s broken—it’s about reconnecting with what’s already whole.

Therapy is a space to slow down, get curious, and begin to understand the parts of you that have been shaped by survival, identity, relationships, and lived experience. It’s a collaborative process grounded in trust, care, and a deep respect for your autonomy.

I don’t believe in pathologizing who you are. Instead, I see therapy as an opportunity to explore your inner world with compassion, uncover the stories that live beneath the surface, and move toward greater self-understanding and connection.

Healing looks different for everyone. It’s not always linear, and it often asks us to be present with discomfort. But with the right support, it can also be deeply transformative.

Therapy can be a place to grieve, to grow, to laugh, to feel, to question, and to come home to yourself—at your own pace, and in your own way.

Land Acknowledgement

I acknowledge with respect that I live and work on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, also known as the Payómkawichum. The Pechanga people have stewarded this land since time immemorial, and I honor their enduring connection to it.

I recognize the ongoing presence and contributions of the Pechanga people and express my commitment to understanding and respecting their history, culture, and sovereignty. May we strive for collaboration, understanding, and the promotion of justice in all our interactions on this sacred land.