Jennifer Neilson, MA, LPCC, NCC
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in Monterey, CA
Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC)
(831) 204-0303
Telehealth & In-PERSON sessions available
Your Healing Journey Begins
We all have a story to tell.
I am here to help you make sense of yours.
I am here to help you love the life you live.
Explore Your World
“We don’t see things as they are; we see them as we are.”
― Anaïs Nin
“Changing the memories that form the way we see ourselves also changes the way we view others. Therefore, our relationships, job performance, what we are willing to do or are able to resist, all move in a positive direction.”
—Francine Shapiro, founder of EMDR
Uncover Your Potential
Our thoughts, feelings, and environment
help shape who we are and
how we see the world.
Change our thoughts and
we can change our world.
Despite the trauma you may have
experienced and the uncertainty
you may be feeling,
you have inner resources
to help you heal and thrive.
Trauma does not define you.
Discover Your Strengths
Are you living the life you always imagined you would? Are you feeling fulfilled? Are your relationships with yourself and others healthy and meaningful?
Do you struggle to make sense of what you are going through? Are you experiencing stress, anxiety, and/or depression? Are your emotions overwhelming?
It takes a lot of courage to reach out when you need some help, and I look forward to supporting you and working with you on this journey together.
About Me:
I’m a licensed therapist in Monterey, California. I’m originally from the Northeast and moved to Monterey to follow my passions–exploring, nature, photography, hiking, traveling, and scuba diving.
Before becoming a therapist, I was a teacher in California as well as overseas in Colombia and Spain. The more I’ve traveled and met people from diverse backgrounds, I’ve come to believe that we are all more alike than different and our thoughts, feelings, environment, and values help shape who we think we are and how we see the world and respond to others.
I provide trauma-focused, person-centered psychotherapy. I utilize an eclectic blend of modalities, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Ego State Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Flash Technique, and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) to create an individualized healing plan for you.
I offer in-person sessions, as well as virtual telehealth (video) sessions, for those unable to travel to Monterey.
Let’s work together. I love helping people make sense of their stories. I look forward to hearing from you.
Therapy Modalities
Every person is unique and treatment is individualized to meet your needs and help you achieve your goals. Read below to learn more about my approach to therapy.
Mindfulness and EMDR for anxiety, stress, and depression
Become more self-aware, learn to pause, and begin to respond to situations versus reacting.
Despite trauma you may have experienced and emotional overwhelm you may be feeling, you have inner resources to help you manage stress and heal yourself.
EMDR for trauma
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a therapeutic approach resulting in the rapid relief of emotional distress linked to disturbing memories of past events. A negative reaction to a situation in the present can often be traced to an earlier event and these similar events become connected in one’s unconscious mind. EMDR helps us explore our inner resources and uncover and heal the stuck parts.
Who Can Benefit from EMDR Therapy?
- EMDR therapy helps children and adults of all ages. EMDR therapy can address a wide range of challenges:
- Abuse, assault, and violence
- Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias
Chronic illness and medical issues
Depression and bipolar disorders
Grief and loss
Performance anxiety
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - Trauma and stress-related issues
Sleep disturbance
Substance abuse and addiction
Insurance
Insurance: I am an in-network provider for Monterey Bay Independent Physicians Association (MBIPA), Coastal TPA, and Valley Health Plan.
If I do not take your insurance, I can provide you with an itemized invoice, AKA a “superbill,” to submit to your insurance provider for out-of-network reimbursement; please check with your insurance provider for more information.
Mental health services may be covered in full or in part by your health insurance or employee benefit plan. Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Coverage Parity laws require most health plans to apply similar rules to mental health benefits as they do for medical benefits. Please check your coverage carefully by asking the following questions of your insurance provider:
What mental health benefits do I have?
Do I have outpatient mental health/behavioral health benefits?
Do I have a deductible to meet? If so, what is my deductible and has any of it been met?
After I meet the deductible, what is my responsibility?
Is there a copayment and/or co-insurance fee due for therapy session? What amount of each therapy session is paid for by the insurance benefit?
Do I have to see an in-network provider or am I able to go to anyone and see an out-of-network provider?
How many sessions per year does my health insurance cover?
Is telehealth a covered service in my plan? What is the out of pocket maximum?
Is approval required from my primary care physician?
What is the effective date of my policy?
When does the policy renew?
Contact Me:
Jennifer Neilson, MA, LPCC, NCC
Board Licensed in California and Nationally Certified
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC #4998)
National Certified Counselor (NCC #719421)
If you are in crisis, call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All calls are confidential. http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
If you are experiencing a psychiatric emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest hospital.
“I do my thing and you do your thing.
I am not in this world to live up to your expectations,
And you are not in this world to live up to mine.
You are you, and I am I, and if by chance we find each other, it’s beautiful.
If not, it can’t be helped.”
-Fritz Perls, 1969
