Jill Dictrow

My name is Jill Dictrow and I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist certified in the state of California, i.e., license #97449. I approach my clients with empathy and compassion whatever reason they are seeking therapy. I have been trained specifically to work with couples, relationships, and individuals suffering from anxiety, depression, PTSD, infidelity, and grief. I want my clients to achieve results and tend to be very direct and honest to help each of my clients. Judgment does not exist in my sessions, however unconditional support and taking steps each session to slowly help to heal is. I use many therapeutic approaches.

My approach

I have a very eclectic approach to therapy depending on the issues that are presented to me. I start with CBT, person-focused, and positive psychology. With couples, I use Imago therapy, the Gottman method, reflective listening, emotion-focused therapy, as well as solution-focused therapy. With my individual clients, I tend to use CBT, Behavior Therapy, Humanistic Therapy as well as Gestalt Therapy.

My focus

I love to work with couples as I find the dynamic of 2 people to be challenging and that makes me strive for excellent results. I work with many individuals who have anxiety, depression, grief, and PTSD. I have been working with many couples who were affected by Covid both professionally, financially as well as emotionally so together we are trying to build a new normal.

My communication style

I approach my clients very openly and immediately create a safe environment for them to feel confident that I can hold their pain and gently ask questions to find out why they are seeking treatment. I learned in graduate school many many years ago that I am not the clients' friend. I am here to provide a service and help to teach them the right tools so each individual can regulate their emotions, describe in words if they have somatic pains, and keep their hope instilled.

My journey to mental healthcare

I started my career as a reality television producer and I would spend hours getting to know the guests and their life story. Twenty years later I wanted to continue listening and helping people with their problems, however, giving them techniques rather than money or empty promises. I have always been the person people tell their secrets to. This career happened naturally as I got older and had much more life experience. I am also a huge believer in therapy and have seen many therapists over my life when different situations came to be. I am eternally grateful for those who helped me, gave me tools, guided me, and taught me so much more about mindfulness than I ever knew. I look at the glass full and want to remind as many clients as I can that it can happen to them too.

My goals for you

Once I have a strong rapport and trust with the client, and understand the issues they want to work on, I help to set up short-term goals while we are building bridges to the long-term goals. I do not want to take over and tell anyone what to do. Together we carefully come up with reasonable goals together and work diligently on them weekly. I do give out homework when I feel it's necessary.

My first session with you

During the first session, I try to find out what brought the client into therapy in the first place. I get a brief medical history and just ask questions that are suitable for the session. I always ask the last time they have seen a doctor, do a suicidal assessment if necessary, and ask the client what they want to get out of therapy. I propose a short detailed list of how we can get the ball rolling only after I check to see that the client wants to move forward with me. Often times I give a free 15-minute consultation to see if we are a therapeutic match.