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

Hi Jillian, how do you think about risk?
A risk is letting go of the need for certainty, security, or succumbing to mainstream belief systems of the dominant culture. A risk is tapping into your inner voice and following your authentic path. It’s about honoring your truth. In my own life and career, if I get into a state of comparison and see my differences from others as being indicative of inadequacy or inferiority, then I am not valuing my authentic self. It is a risk to embrace my authentic self because I may be in the minority of what I choose to do, which can feel more vulnerable. However, I would rather look back at my life knowing that I took risks that supported my innermost passions, dreams, and desires. Risks I have taken include going back to school in adulthood for my bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees to follow a dream I had as a young teenager to be a psychotherapist. Personal life events deterred me from attending university directly after high school, yet deepened and enriched my ability to feel and understand the experiences of others in a way in which textbooks cannot provide. I knew at a young age that I wanted to be a psychotherapist and I took the risks I deemed necessary to attain my goal. There have been financial risks, such as student debt or maybe not earning as much as others. There has also been the risk of dedicating so much time to education and training for a career that does not necessarily guarantee a certain amount of financial security, but that fulfills my soul and purpose. The time dedicated to this career path has meant some level of sacrifice in other areas of my life, which can be viewed as a risk. However, after getting licensed as a psychotherapist, all of the risks I have taken have proven to be worth it.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. I am excited about helping others find a deeper understanding of themselves, cultivate personal growth, and improve relationships.

I work with individual adults and couples via telehealth in California in areas such as depression, anxiety, relationship problems, trauma, recovery, substance abuse, and LGBTQ. My interest in helping others began as a teenager when I worked as a volunteer peer counselor at a crisis hotline called Teen Line.

What is different about me and what I am proud of is my diverse experience and training. I have two master’s degrees (MA in Psychology, MA in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy) from Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology. I have a bachelor’s degree in Psychology (BA in Psychology) from California State University Dominguez Hills.

I received extensive training in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy at The Maple Counseling Center working with individual adults, as well as training in working with couples using Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and an informed approach in Emotion-Focused Therapy.

My experience and training with individuals, couples, and groups also includes chronic mental illness and severe psychopathology at Exodus
Recovery Inc in a locked psychiatric facility as well as outpatient; acute mental illness at Resilience Treatment Center at levels of IOP, PHP, and residential; substance abuse at Forward Recovery at IOP, residential, and detox; supervising adolescents on a crisis hotline at Teen Line at Cedar Sinai Hospital; individual and couples
counseling in private practice under the
supervision of Margaret Hickman, LMFT 87976; suicide crisis counseling at the Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center; and working with individual adults, teens, and couples at Meridian Counseling.

I have training in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and I am informed in and have experience with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Emotion-Focused Therapy, as well as mindfulness practices.

I also served as president of the Maple Alumni Association, for which I organized and hosted events for psychotherapists featuring respected professionals in the field of mental health.

Additionally, I have experience as a preschool teacher, an early interventionist, a social skills interventionist, and a behavior interventionist working with children with special needs using Applied Behavior Analysis.

I was featured on two podcasts discussing the topic “Managing Anxiety and Depression during the Pandemic” (Speaking Up for Mental Health podcast at The Maple Counseling Center and Guiding Compass podcast episode 43: Coping with COVID-19 at Meridian Counseling).

I got to where I am today in my career with persistence and determination. Rather than getting discouraged, I chose to view any kind of rejection as a form of pointing me in the right direction. Although I have the education, training, and experience to support what I do, I continue to grow and remain open to learning. I view my career as part of the journey, not the destination, in that evolving as a psychotherapist is an ongoing process.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are so many fun things to do in Los Angeles! I would definitely recommend a hike, such as Los Liones Trail or Temescal Canyon. To go dancing, check out The Abbey in West Hollywood. For outdoor movies and dancing to cool DJ spins, try Cinespia at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery or LA State Historic Park. Grab brunch at Crossroads Kitchen on Melrose, Cafe Gratitude in Venice, or The Butcher’s Daughter on Abbot Kinney. Pack your sunscreen and towel and head to Malibu for a beach day. In the winter, go ice skating in Santa Monica and at Pershing Square downtown. Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is a museum you don’t want to miss! For comedy shows, head to Sunset Blvd for some great venues. Go to the Griffith Observatory for beautiful views. Concerts at the Greek Theatre and the Hollywood Bowl are a must, especially in the summer!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am so appreciative of the support from others on my journey. My Dad was very encouraging of my career and my decisions to follow a path that did not fit neatly into the mainstream time table of life events. In addition, the life I have today would not be possible without the recovery community, for which I am abundantly grateful. Lastly, I am also thankful for mentors, such as supervisors and therapists, for their help, guidance, and support.

Website:
www.jillianziesmertherapy.com

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillian-ziesmer
www.linkedin.com/in/jillian-ziesmer/

Facebook:
https://m.facebook.com/jillianziesmertherapy
www.facebook.com/jillianziesmertherapy

Instagram:
https://instagram.com/jillianziesmertherapy
www.instagram.com/jillianziesmertherapy
@jillianziesmertherapy

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