Jonna Tamases,Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

My Approach to Helping

My Role as a Therapist

Clients often come to therapy wanting relief from distress as well as wanting to know themselves better. I consider my role to be a collaborator with you:
- to receive you and allow you the space and time to vent, share, and explore.
- to provide guiding inquiry and point out things I might notice as you share (e.g. patterns, connections, or possible meanings).
- to sometimes gently challenge you to consider new perspectives and possibilities or look at uncomfortable feelings.
- to help you identify the things you might need to help you feel better.
- to help you identify and learn new tools that you feel support your values and desires for yourself.

How My Own Struggles Made Me a Better Therapist

I feel I can relate to the fear you might feel coming to therapy and to the anxiety and sadness you might be feeling because I've had those feelings. I've been through depression, experienced big losses and grief, felt deep rage, been beaten down by my Inner Critic, and felt afraid of facing it all. I'm a cancer survivor and a sexual abuse survivor. From my experiences I am now able to be a non-anxious presence to hold calm space for you. I am comfortable being with your pain; I am honored to bear witness and assist you on your journey.