About Jenna Van Wagner

I am Jenna Van Wagner, a Marriage and Family Therapist practicing in Los Angeles, CA.  I was licensed in 2013.

I work from various psychotherapeutic orientations, as I have found wisdom and value in many and can apply that to each client specifically in our work together.  The modalities and treatment approaches that I lean into most often are Humanistic, EMDR, Meditative, and Cognitive-Behavioral therapy.

I am passionate about non-profit work and community organizing, issues of diversity, equity and inclusion, and the health of our planet for future generations.  I have spent years working on facilitating engagement with youth to help plan for more equitable and socially responsible spaces for people to strive for wellness. I consult with organizations who are committed to enriching the lives of youth and bringing opportunities for greater education and dialogue.

I see therapy as a collaborative process. I respect and am curious about the insights that you have to your life and experiences.  I greatly value the process of looking at patterns and problems together and brainstorming different strategies to deal with them while experimenting with new ways of being in relationships. I am always looking for and helping to shine a light on your strengths and creativity. I am also interested in deconstructing the cultural norms that shape how we are treated in the world, as well as the messages we have been told about ourselves while growing up.  

I believe in the healing power of therapeutic conversations and also think that therapy is enhanced by finding ways to implement mindfulness and space for meditation and connection to community in our daily lives.  In addition to therapy I am always thinking about ways to welcome the work and insights into your relationship with yourself and others.

I am committed to fostering a safe therapeutic relationship as the foundation of all we are able to explore.  I see everything growing from the supportive, respectful relationship that we build together.  That is a strong commitment that I hold and nurture as we work together. 

I am excited to meet you at this time in your life when you are ready to explore parts of yourself and your story.  Therapy is most productive and meaningful when you are ready and willing to be vulnerable and think about familiar problems and parts of yourself in new ways.

EMDR Trained & Certified

EMDR  is a treatment to process traumatic memories.  I have a great deal of experience working with adults who have gone through trauma and need to safely process it while identifying triggers and recognizing their resiliency and coping strategies. When we practice EMDR, I carefully guide you toward accessing traumatic events and reprocessing them in order to repair with the hope of reducing symptoms. 

Additional Specifications

I have had the opportunity to hone working specifically with men who struggle to openly show and express their feelings.  I have appreciated my male clients who trust me to help them uncover their vulnerability and show up in ways that feel more authentic to them while challenging some of the old ideas of how men can operate in families and relationships. 

I have had the privilege of working with women and couples traversing the road of postpartum mental health challenges.  During this heightened time, I can be a valuable resource for clients who are adjusting to their new identities as parents.  I can support both individuals and couples as they juggle all of the changes they are experiencing to help relieve the intensity of the time and to identify supports in their lives.