We recently had the chance to connect with Jen Pourvasei and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Jen, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I recently got back into reading, and I’m loving it. As a wife, mom, and therapist, I spend most of my day connecting with others—so it feels really good to wind down at night with just me and a book. I love seeing the world through a character’s perspective, and I’ll read just about any genre as long as the writing speaks to me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Jen Pourvasei, a licensed therapist and founder of Soul Centered Therapists. I help women who are struggling with anxiety, overthinking, and burnout find clarity, calm, and confidence. In addition to weekly therapy, I offer personalized therapy retreats — one-on-one intensives designed to create deep, lasting change in just a weekend.
My work blends evidence-based therapy with a holistic, client-centered approach. What makes my practice unique is the warm, grounded space we create for real transformation — whether it’s through our individual retreats, weekly sessions, or free tools online.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a teenager, I really struggled with feeling worthy. I had this vague fear that if people got to know the “real” me—some secret part I couldn’t even fully name—they wouldn’t want to be my friend or date me. It felt like something was just wrong with me at a deep level.
In my 20s, I dove into psychology and spiritual teachings, and started to heal those hurt parts of myself.. These days, I have a lot of love and compassion for myself, and I’m able to embrace the love from my friends and family in a way I couldn’t before.
It’s something I see often in my clients, too—that quiet fear that something is wrong with them or that they won’t be able to create a good life for themselves. I’m honored to help my clients walk their own version of the path I walked from self-doubt to self-worth.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
The past few years have brought a lot of personal challenges, and that suffering cracked my heart open in ways I never expected. Grief and setbacks gave me the chance to truly practice letting go of attachment to specific outcomes, and to take life one day—sometimes one moment—at a time, while still working toward the life I want. These are the kinds of lessons that comfort and success just don’t allow us to learn on a deep level.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
I believe most people are doing the best they can with the tools, experiences, and emotional capacity they have in the moment—even when that “best” causes harm. But just because you understand why someone behaves a certain way or can cultivate understanding of them, that doesn’t mean you have to stick around for it. You can acknowledge someone’s pain or limitations while still protecting your own peace. In fact, having compassion with boundaries often makes it easier to move on from a harmful interaction or relationship. You’re always entitled to your anger, resentment, or grief for as long as you need. But if you want to move toward compassion, know that it doesn’t mean self-sacrifice—it can walk hand in hand with clarity and self-respect.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What will you regret not doing?
I’ll regret not really going for it with my business. Life is short, and I know I’m an excellent therapist—but I want to have a bigger impact and help change my little corner of the world. I also want to break through the mental barriers I still carry around being seen and truly successful. Honestly, this question helped me realize I’ve been avoiding some of the marketing tasks and time needed to grow my business—I’ve been stuck working in it, not on it. Yikes… I’ve got to make a plan to get back on track.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.soulcenteredtherapists.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferpourvasei
