New Growth Psychology
Dr. Jessica Lara, Psy.D.
“The doors to the world of the wild Self are few but precious. If you have a deep scar, that is a door, if you have an old, old story, that is a door. If you love the sky and the water so much you almost cannot bear it, that is a door. If you yearn for a deeper life, a full life, a sane life, that is a door.”
― Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype
About Me
I have training in psychodynamic, experiential, family systems, and emotion-focused therapy. My clinical experience is broad as I have worked with several different populations in a variety of different settings (i.e., counseling centers, medical offices, churches, veteran's medical center, and schools). Currently I am passionate about serving rural communities and fellow therapists.
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I am committed to providing psychodynamic therapy. I am actively engaging in avenues to enhance my clinical abilities, including on-going weekly supervision with an experienced psychodynamic therapist. I also participate in my own individual therapy to ensure that I am caring for my own soul and not allowing blind spots to negatively impact my patients.
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Psychodynamic therapy is grounded in the exploration of unconscious dynamics as they affect one’s potential for wellbeing. We will focus on the problems of living in the present, while acknowledging the influence of the past (Yes, we are going to talk about your parents and your childhood). Psychodynamic therapy is not a one-size-fits-all approach, but an evidence-based treatment that acknowledges the vastness of each individuals experience while holding pervasive themes that exist across human experience. The work does not center around focusing on symptoms though most will have a reduction or change in their symptoms. It is common for painful emotions to arise and often the treatment may feel as though things are getting worse before they get better but you will not have to face this discomfort alone. Some possible outcomes of psychodynamic therapy include, but are not limited to an increase in self-esteem, greater sense of agency, satisfaction in relationships, or a decrease in emotional reactivity.
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My personal therapeutic style is intuitive and authentic. If you decide to pursue treatment with me it is my hope that you will find therapy to be collaborative, explorative, and consistent.
