Jillian Betz (Associate Therapist)

Introduction

Hi, my name is Jillian Betz LSW, and I am a dedicated therapist at The Center for Growth. I am currently accepting new clients at our Ocean City, New Jersey office as well as for virtual therapy sessions for residents of New Jersey. I am committed to providing a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment for individuals, couples, and families seeking to improve their mental and emotional well-being. My approach is rooted in creating a strong therapeutic alliance, understanding each client's unique needs, and utilizing evidence-based practices to facilitate growth and healing.

Educational Background and Professional Experience

I received my Bachelor of Arts degree from Penn State University in 2013, where I majored in Psychology. This educational foundation provided me with a broad understanding of human behavior and social dynamics, which has been invaluable in my career as a social worker and therapist.

Following my undergraduate studies, I dedicated six years to the non-profit sector, working as a social worker for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. This experience was transformative, as it allowed me to witness firsthand the resilience of the human spirit and the power of supportive relationships. I gained extensive experience in case management, advocacy, crisis intervention, and connecting clients with essential resources. This work instilled in me a deep sense of compassion and a strong commitment to social justice.

While working in the non-profit sector, I pursued my Master’s in Social Work at Rutgers University, graduating in 2022. This advanced degree provided me with in-depth knowledge of various therapeutic modalities, assessment techniques, and ethical practices. The rigorous academic training, combined with my practical experience, prepared me to effectively address a wide range of mental health concerns.

Since obtaining my MSW, I have worked in diverse settings, including private practice and corporate environments. These experiences have further honed my skills in individual, couples, and family therapy. I have had the opportunity to work with clients from various backgrounds, facing unique challenges, which has broadened my perspective and enhanced my cultural competence.

Therapeutic Approach

My therapeutic approach is primarily relational. I believe that our earliest relationships significantly shape our sense of self and how we interact with others. By exploring these early patterns, we can gain valuable insights into current difficulties and develop healthier ways of relating. I strive to create a trusting and collaborative therapeutic relationship, where clients feel safe to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

In addition to the relational approach, I also utilize a psychodynamic framework. This approach helps clients understand and analyze unconscious conflicts, repressed emotions, and underlying patterns that may be contributing to their struggles. Through this process, clients can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and develop greater self-awareness.

The foundation of my work is the therapeutic relationship. I believe that a strong, authentic connection between therapist and client is essential for growth, healing, and lasting change. I am committed to creating a non-judgmental and empathetic space where clients feel heard, understood, and supported.

Modalities

I am trained in various therapeutic modalities, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

• Motivational Interviewing Therapy (MI)

These modalities allow me to tailor my approach to meet each client's specific needs and goals.

CBT helps clients identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely-used therapeutic approach that focuses on the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It operates on the premise that our thoughts and beliefs significantly influence our emotions and actions. Consequently, by identifying and modifying unhelpful or negative thought patterns and behaviors, individuals can experience significant improvements in their emotional well-being and overall functioning.

CBT is a structured, goal-oriented therapy that typically involves collaboration between the therapist and client to identify specific problem areas and develop strategies for change. The therapist helps the client to recognize and challenge cognitive distortions, which are biased or irrational thought patterns that contribute to negative emotions and behaviors. Through various techniques, such as cognitive restructuring, behavioral experiments, and exposure therapy, clients learn to develop more adaptive and realistic ways of thinking and behaving.

CBT has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and eating disorders. It can also be helpful for managing stress, improving relationships, and enhancing overall coping skills.

DBT equips clients with skills to manage emotions, improve relationships, and tolerate distress. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a comprehensive cognitive-behavioral therapy that provides clients with a range of skills and strategies to manage their emotions effectively, navigate interpersonal relationships successfully, and tolerate distress in a healthy manner.

The core skills taught in DBT include: mindfulness (cultivating awareness of the present moment without judgment, helping individuals observe their thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations with acceptance); distress tolerance (developing techniques to cope with difficult emotions and situations in the short term, without resorting to harmful behaviors); emotion regulation (learning to identify, understand, and manage emotions in a healthy and balanced way, reducing vulnerability to emotional dysregulation); interpersonal effectiveness (enhancing communication and relationship skills, enabling individuals to assert their needs, set boundaries, and build healthy connections with others).

DBT is particularly effective for individuals who experience intense emotions, struggle with self-harm or suicidal thoughts, or have difficulty maintaining stable relationships. By teaching clients how to manage their emotions, cope with distress, and improve their interpersonal skills, DBT can lead to significant improvements in mental health and overall well-being.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative, goal-oriented style of communication with particular attention to the language of change. It is designed to strengthen personal motivation for and commitment to a specific goal by eliciting and exploring the person's own reasons for change within an atmosphere of acceptance and compassion.

Some of the core principles of MI are: collaboration (MI is a partnership between the therapist and the client, not a dictatorial relationship, where the therapist and client work together to explore and resolve ambivalence about change); evocation (the therapist's role is to draw out the client's own motivations and resources for change, rather than imposing their own ideas); autonomy (the client is ultimately responsible for choosing whether and how to change); compassion (the therapist demonstrates genuine care and concern for the client's well-being). The typical practices used to excel in MI are open-ended questions encouraging my client to share their thoughts and feelings in depth; affirmations; reflective listening, where I reflect back what I hear my client saying, demonstrating understanding and empathy; and finally summarizing.

Specializations

I am experienced and specialize in addressing a wide range of issues, including but not limited to:

• Anger Management

• Anxiety and Panic Attacks

• Mood Disorders

• Trauma and PTSD

• Mindfulness Practices

• Personality Disorders

• Phobias

• Sex Therapy

• Couples Therapy

• Individual Therapy

• Family Therapy

My diverse training and experience enable me to effectively address complex and multifaceted issues. I am committed to ongoing professional development to stay abreast of the latest research and best practices in the field.

Philosophy and Invitation

I believe that everyone has the capacity for growth and healing. Sometimes, life's challenges can feel overwhelming, and it can be difficult to navigate them alone. If you are feeling hopeless or stuck, please know that you are not alone. These feelings are normal when you are struggling to process life's stressors.

I am here to help you on your journey to healing and growth. I am committed to providing compassionate and effective therapy that empowers you to overcome challenges and live a more fulfilling life. Let me help you regain your sense of well-being and get back to feeling your best.

I invite you to reach out with any questions you may have. I am happy to discuss your needs and explore how I can support you. Taking the first step towards therapy can be daunting, but it is also an act of courage and self-care. I look forward to the possibility of working with you and supporting you on your path to healing and personal growth.

Jillian Betz (Associate Therapist)'s Resume