Life & Work with Jill Cepela of Los Feliz

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jill Cepela.

Hi Jill, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Like many LA folks, I moved to this fine city to pursue a career in entertainment. And I got so lucky – I clawed my way into some of the coolest jobs in the industry, met incredibly talented people and comedy legends, and got free parking at The Grove. For a while, this was a perfect fit.

Slowly then all at once, I burned out. Hard. I had been sprinting on the hustle-and-grind treadmill for so long that I didn’t realize the toll it was taking on me. While I loved the creative aspect of the work, I started to question if this path was sustainable longterm.

Being a therapist was always my “in a different life” career. When I got to this turning point, I stopped viewing it as a pipe dream and started figuring out how to make it happen. Almost immediately, I could feel in my bones this was a good decision. Supporting clients through some of the hardest times in their lives has been an indescribably rewarding experience. Plus, there’s a surprising amount of crossover skills from entertainment that amplify my clinical work.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has definitely not been a smooth road! But as they say, anything worth doing is never easy.

Becoming a therapist is a long, demanding, and complicated process. Juggling grad school, work, and general life felt nearly impossible at times. I remember during the final stretch of grad school, I was so stressed that I texted a classmate saying I thought I was having a heart attack. She gently told me I was being dramatic as hell. Bless her heart, she was right, but that’s how overwhelming it all felt. Now, I’m grateful to be on the other side and able to say that it was all worth it.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an associate marriage and family therapist with Renewed Relationships Counseling Group, a practice dedicating to supporting couples and individuals. Here, I specialize in working with relationships. I’m passionate about helping partners gain a deeper understanding of their relationship dynamics and the patterns that leave them feeling stuck or disconnected. Watching couples work to improve communication, heal old wounds, and create a deeper connection is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

I also specialize in working with individuals going through breakups. Breakups are one of the most complicatedly painful life experiences and can bring up our deepest wounds. In therapy, I hold space for my clients while they grieve and grit their way through that tough first chapter. As the work progresses, clients find clarity on their relationship and attachment styles, explore what they truly want, and come out a stronger, more empowered version of themselves.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
There are a million things I love about LA, but nothing tops the food. You could be dropped in a random spot, throw a rock in any direction, and hit a restaurant that serves the best meal you’ve ever had.

My least favorite thing about LA is that 6-way intersection in Beverly Hills. I usually just cross my fingers and hope for the best. So far, so good!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jillcepelatherapy.com/
• Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/jill-cepela-los-angeles-ca/1101631

Image Credits
Chelsea Stratso