Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Roberts Nelson, LMFT.
Hi Jamie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey in the mental health world is anchored by the quote “Be the person you needed when you were younger” by Ayesha Saddiqi. After providing therapy in an LA based community counseling center, I realized most adults are processing and unlearning experiences from their childhood. I always knew I would (or wanted to) be working with youth, but this confirmed my desire to work specifically with adolescents. I proceeded to work on a middle school campus, in community mental health and alongside an adolescent psychiatrist. Finally, I was ready to branch out and create Equilibrium Counseling Services, a teen mental health center.
As an adult, I received a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), which propelled me deep into neurodivergent research and narrowed my niche even more. I discovered that people assigned female at birth (AFAB) are incredibly underdiagnosed for ADHD and often not until their 30/40s. This confirmed my path of “being who I needed” by providing education and advocacy for adolescents to receive appropriate and accurate neurodivergent affirming therapy.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Forging new paths is rarely a smooth road, but when you are on the right path the struggles just show you where there is need. Adults tend to steer away from teens and minimize their experiences. Finding colleagues and mentors that get excited about the teen experiences has been very limiting. Therefore, at Equilibrium, we provide supervision and trainings for developing therapists, organize networking events and maintain a directory of teen resources.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Equilibrium Counseling Services?
Equilibrium Counseling Services is a teen and young adult mental health center. We provide individual, family and group therapy to the youth in our community. We understand the unique dichotomy of still being a kid yet wanting and having adult responsibilities. Our clinicians work from a strength-based and anti-racist model, we affirm and celebrate all genders and LGBTQI identified people. Our ultimate goal is to create and foster a safe home like atmosphere for youth to heal, find and develop their unique and powerful voice.
At Equilibrium, we love to utilize the creative arts. We recognize that often emotional expression is nonverbal. Therefore, we incorporate painting, drawing, music and movement into our healing. This has proven very popular with our teens who may be nervous or apprehensive about the traditional therapy model. Additionally, with neurodivergence, we process sensory, auditory and nonverbal information differently so utilizing a variety of communication styles allows us to meet everyone where they are.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Being a “real person” in the therapy room, owning mistakes, receiving feedback, making jokes and having colorful hair. I believe that the relationship between client and therapist is the most valuable and powerful tool available. When I show up as authentically me, flaws and strengths, I hope to give clients the same permission to let down their mask and simply be their imperfect self. “I’m not a regular therapist, I am a cool therapist” ….. tongue in cheek intended.
Pricing:
- Individual Psychotherapy $140
- Group Therapy $40
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://equilibriumcs.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equilibriumcounseling/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/neurodivergenttherapist/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EquilibriumCounseling
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT6FubczAj4gWMkqC8k1WKA
- Other: TikTok @neurodivergenttherapist
