Meet Jill Eras | Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jill Jill and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jill, how do you think about risk?
I think that being an entrepreneur is built upon taking calculated risk. Risk that is informed by a deep desire that can’t be denied coupled with a pragmatic awareness of one’s true abilities, capacity, and passion. Early on, I didn’t know that these principles were leading me forward, but I was pretty good at noticing the signs and inner knowing in response to them. Sometimes, I just knew it would work and I followed that inexplicable sense of knowing.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My psychotherapy business is built on three prongs: my education and experience as a licensed therapist, many years of Archetypal Dreamwork training, and surviving and healing from the trauma of an untreated dysfunctional family system. I actually began my career working with individuals through my ability to read astrological natal charts. Astrology is ancient psychology, it was clearly my gateway to more in depth study about and service to others. So, my business started there, without too much thought or effort, and my client base grew organically. Next came dreams. I was thunderstruck by the sacred ground we walk through in our dreams, how they are our own unique inner teacher, and how bringing dream awareness to waking life improves the connection to our true selves. Then came Couples and Family Therapy training where I truly learned the nature of my own trauma and the systems theory of untold pain that weaves through most couples and families. I put it all together and do my best to help contextual the humans I have the privilege to see in my office. I often say that therapy with me is not for the faint hearted and liken it to marine training 🙂 – it’s tough stuff to confront, but when we do, the ultimate gift is freedom and authenticity! I am deeply grateful that my business is word of mouth and I am blessed with incredible clients who work hard and inspire me constantly. In addition… My artistic life has reignited this past year. I moved to LA from the east coast 3 years ago and had no plans to remember that I had always planned to be an actor. But, my Argentine tango teacher (tango is a big passion) gave me a recommendation for an acting school he thought would be perfect for me, and then, just like that, I was re-bitten by the bug! Now, almost exactly one year after entering the studio, I have begun a journey i hadn’t planned to take as a professional actor. Much to my surprise, I was hired almost immediately after posting on all the sites. I can hardly believe that I am now running two businesses, but I am, and I absolutely love it. I have also begun exploring improv and writing. I surprise myself every day and feel deeply grateful to be in the greatest artistic city in the world. I just keep feeling the fear and doing it anyway…

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ok – cliche I know, but, Malibu! I love being there, the hikes and the Mart..sitting in the courtyard with a coffee from Alfreds. I like to have brunch at Ollo. I also love Pasadena for a great day of shopping and the beautiful gardens at The Huntington. I would also take the walking historic tour of downtown LA – then brunch at Eggslut at the Grand Central Market. The Broad is a great museum downtown, too. Then try to see a show at the Ahmanson Theatre. I live near Beverly Hills and love it there, too, and I’d go for a cocktail at The Hideaway – best margaritas and fresh chips and salsa in the most adorable, hidden setting below all the hustle and bustle of Beverly Hills – and it’s a fun little taste of Rodeo Drive! I’d try to catch a comedy show at the Largo at the Coronet, which is super close to Beverly Hills, too. Great little sushi place near there called Sushi Fumi. Another fun place to walk – especially for celebrity sightings – is the Brentwood Country Mart. Great lunch to be had at Farmshop. Don’t forget to go to Santa Monica and walk the beach. Can’t miss seeing all the antics that go on there, all along the way to Venice. Go into Venice – see the canals and go to Abbott Kinney for a wonderful day. Eat at Gjelina or Butchers Daughter or get a fabulous smoothie at Loco Coco.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Thanks of an undeterminable depth go to my husband Andy and our blended family. Thanks to my therapist Linda who reparented me and helped me grow up through and past my childhood and adult trauma.

Thanks to my current acting school the Ivana Chubbuck Studio and specifically my teacher Michael Monks. Ivana’s method and Michael’s mentoring has been life changing.

Website: Www.jillerasmft.com

Instagram: JillEras@actressjill

Linkedin: LinkedIn.com/in/jill-eras

Image Credits
Lovewaves @oceanic_photography Paulsmithphotography