About Jayla

I have over 30 years of extensive experience helping people with:

I love being a therapist, and appreciate the opportunity to serve others as a guide and companion on their inner journeys. I received my M.A. in Counseling Psychology from University of San Francisco in 1994 and my Marriage and Family Therapist License in 1996, and have been in private practice since that time. Integrated into my work are my ongoing studies of Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Neuropsychology, Attachment Theory, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Self-Compassion, Contemporary Psychoanalysis, Relational Theories and Buddhist Psychology. I have taught psychology at John F. Kennedy University and University of St. Francis, Yoga and Stress Reduction at Cabrillo College, and Compassionate Mindfulness at Santa Cruz Integrative Medicine. Additional trainings include Liberation From Heterosexist Oppression, Tailoring Treatment to Attachment Styles, Neuroplasticity, Mindful Self-Compassion, a 2-year training and service program on illness, aging and end-of-life issues, and a 3-year advanced mindfulness training program.

Also essential to my training and experience are the invaluable hours I have spent as a client in therapy. I am greatly appreciative of the many fine therapists who I have learned from and healed with as I “walked the talk” and came to know the power and benefits of the therapeutic process.

I also have a M.A. in Dance and am a certified yoga teacher. In my free time, I enjoy walking in the woods or by the ocean, connecting with friends and family, dance, yoga and meditation, reading memoirs, being in my garden, taking care of my collection of 50+ houseplants, and generally enjoying all that our beautiful area has to offer.

Anything or anyone that does not bring you alive is too small for you.

– David Whyte