My name is Jeremy D. Bailey and I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW #102807) in the State of California with a Master's in Social Work (MSW) from UCLA. I have 14 years of extensive clinical experience working with people from a diversity of backgrounds and ages in both public and private settings. My focus concerns assisting those who have faced trauma along with; anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression/mood disorders, suicidal thoughts, LGBTQI+ issues, and adjustment disorders.

My approach

All of us face challenges in dealing with what life can often throw at us. Sometimes we need some help or an outside perspective that we can trust and feel safe with to assist us in seeing these challenges in a new light. As this can be an intimidating process for some and I strive to create a safe and trusting space for folks to begin to face their challenges. My therapeutic approach involves empowerment and collaboration where we typically define the issue to work on, assist the processing of unexpressed feelings, build awareness of what change is desired, then develop alternative approaches and coping skills that can serve folks to deal with these and similar challenges for the rest of their lives! To achieve this I espouse a combination of therapeutic modalities that are individually tailored and utilize aspects of cognitive/dialectical behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, solution-focused, psycho-dynamic, mindfulness, attachment theory, and motivational interviewing.

My focus

I typically work with adults of all ages and backgrounds who are facing challenges with Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Depression, mood disorders (bipolar), LGBTQ support, adjustment disorders, grief/loss, job stress, social stress, intellectual disability, PTSD, life transitions, panic, and stress. I prefer one on one sessions to better focus on improving each individual's life so they in turn can better function with not only others in their lives but with themselves.

My communication style

My aim is to be as authentic and accessible as possible as therapy can be an intimidating and unknown process to many. One needs to feel safe to explore and change aspects of themselves or their lives and one of my main goals is to create a safe and equitable space to achieve this. I welcome feedback, questions, and encourage those I work with to let me know if they have any questions about the direction and focus of their treatment as this is a collaboration.

My journey to therapy

Being an LCSW is a second career for me as I previously struggled to find my career focus. I was in a very unrelated career/profession and after realizing it was not a correct fit had to ask myself what I liked to do, what I was good at, and how could my natural strengths and related skill set be used in pursuit of a new career. I knew folks had often felt comfortable telling me their problems for most of my adult life and I Ioved listening. When facing my career change I volunteered to work in the mental health field and loved it so after some additional efforts along with a lot of work and time graduated from UCLA with my MSW and have never regretted it as I love what I do!

My goals for you

In my opinion, there are several valid ways to participate in therapy: one can seek a safe space to vent and explore their feelings with trusted feedback while others want more treatment focus with goals that can be measured and worked towards with a desired outcome. Both treatment perspectives are valid and many folks I encounter desire a combination of both perspectives to allow for both established goals along with some flexibility to vent about stressors as they occur.

My first session with you

Upon initial sessions, clients can expect me to introduce myself/experience and welcome them to their first session as it can be difficult to make it to the first appointment. Then I'd listen to why they are seeking treatment at this time along with some questions about the type, frequency, and severity of the mental health symptoms they are experiencing, along with any previous treatment experience. Then I'd detail my treatment philosophy and style then field any questions from the client and solicit any feedback.