Connect. Heal. Grow.

Healing is
possible.
So is hope.

I provide compassionate, evidence-based therapy to help you process what's happened, reconnect with yourself, and move forward with clarity and strength.

Schedule a Consultation About Jessica

Early experience influences later development, but it isn't fate: therapeutic experiences can profoundly alter an individual's life course.

— Alan Sroufe & Daniel Siegel

Areas of Focus

Trauma & PTSD EMDR Therapy Couples Therapy Anxiety Depression Relationship Patterns Life Transitions Grief & Loss Self-Esteem
Jessica Isaak, LMFT
About

Hi, I'm
Jessica.

I'm a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with a deep commitment to helping people heal from trauma, find relief from anxiety and depression, and build lives that feel meaningful and whole.

My work is rooted in the belief that you already hold the capacity for healing — sometimes we just need the right support to access it. I create a warm, nonjudgmental space where you can explore difficult experiences at your own pace.

I specialize in EMDR therapy, a powerful, research-backed approach to processing trauma and distressing memories. I also draw from attachment theory, somatic awareness, and cognitive-behavioral approaches, always tailoring treatment to your unique needs.

Whether you're navigating the aftermath of trauma, struggling with anxiety or depression, going through a major life change, or simply feeling stuck — I'm here to help you find your footing.

Shame, fear, guilt, anxiety, depression, grief, addiction: these strong emotions and behaviors sever our connection to ourselves when we ignore them. If we instead frame these symptoms as welcomed visitors, we can look at them with the eye of a scientist seeking to understand what message they bring. Our symptoms may be scary, messy, and confusing. They may be self-injurious. The thing they all hold in common, however, is they are messages waiting to be decoded. They carry with them insight into what needs our attention. My work aims to reconnect you to the wisdom you wield within and unblock you from what holds you hostage.

License

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)

Training

EMDR Certified Therapist
EFT Trained

Sessions

Individual adults, In-person & Telehealth

Insurance

In-network with Aetna
Private pay; superbills provided

My Approach

Therapy that meets you where you are

Collaborative

We work together as a team. You set the direction; I provide tools, insights, and support to help you get there.

Evidence-Based

I draw from therapies with strong research support — including EMDR, CBT, and somatic approaches — adapted to fit you.

Compassionate

There's no judgment here. Your experiences are valid, your pace is respected, and your wellbeing is always the priority.

Specialty

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing

EMDR is one of the most researched and effective treatments for trauma available today. It can help you process painful memories and experiences so they no longer hold power over your present life.

What is EMDR?

More than just talk therapy

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured therapy that helps people heal from trauma and other distressing life experiences. Developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, it is now recognized by the World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association, and the Department of Veterans Affairs as an effective treatment for PTSD.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR directly targets how traumatic memories are stored in the brain. Through guided bilateral stimulation — such as eye movements or tapping — your brain is supported in processing stuck memories so they can be integrated in a healthy way.

The result? Memories that once felt overwhelming begin to lose their emotional charge. You can think about what happened without being flooded by it.

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Healing happens when the brain can finally finish processing what it couldn't before.

The science behind EMDR

Who It Helps

EMDR can support healing from…

Trauma & PTSD

Childhood trauma, accidents, assault, medical trauma, witnessing violence, and complex PTSD.

Anxiety & Panic

Generalized anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, and the roots of worry that feel impossible to control.

Depression

When depression is linked to unresolved painful experiences or deeply held negative beliefs.

Grief & Loss

Processing complicated grief, sudden loss, or mourning that feels stuck.

Negative Self-Beliefs

Beliefs like "I'm not enough," "I'm broken," or "I'm not safe" that trace back to early experiences.

Performance & Life Blocks

Fear of failure, perfectionism, and patterns that keep you from living the life you want.

What to Expect

The process, step by step

Starting therapy can feel daunting. Here's a clear picture of what working together looks like.

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Free Consultation

A 20-minute call to see if we're a good fit and answer any questions you have.

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Getting to Know You

Early sessions focus on your history, goals, and building the safety needed for trauma work.

Active Processing

We work through target memories using EMDR's bilateral stimulation in a paced, supported way.

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Integration & Growth

As memories are processed, we reinforce new, healthier beliefs and build toward lasting change.

Common Questions

You might be wondering…

Is EMDR only for people with PTSD? +
No — while EMDR was originally developed to treat PTSD, it's now widely used for anxiety, depression, phobias, grief, performance issues, and any experience that left a painful imprint. If you carry a memory or belief that still causes distress, EMDR may help.
Will I have to talk about everything in detail? +
Not necessarily. One of the unique aspects of EMDR is that you don't need to narrate every detail of a traumatic event for processing to occur. We go at your pace, and I'll help you feel grounded and safe throughout.
How many sessions does EMDR take? +
It varies significantly depending on the nature and complexity of what we're working on. Some single-incident traumas can show meaningful improvement in a handful of sessions. More complex trauma histories typically take longer. We'll regularly check in on your progress together.
What does bilateral stimulation actually feel like? +
Bilateral stimulation can involve following my finger or a light with your eyes, holding small hand buzzers that alternate vibrations, or listening to tones through headphones. Most people find it more relaxing than they expect, and you're always in control of stopping or pausing.
Can EMDR be done via telehealth? +
Yes. EMDR has been successfully adapted for telehealth using specialized software or simple methods you can do at home. Many clients find virtual EMDR just as effective as in-person sessions.

Ready to take the first step?

You don't have to keep carrying this alone. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation.

Get in Touch
Couples Therapy

Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples

EFT helps partners understand the emotional cycles pulling them apart — and build the secure, loving bond they're longing for. It's one of the most researched and effective approaches to couples therapy available today.

In effective therapy, clients discover in an immediate, alive, and explicit way how their manner of engaging with their emotions shapes their suffering.

— Sue Johnson
What is EFT?

Changing the pattern, not just the conflict

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a short-term, structured approach to couples therapy developed by Dr. Sue Johnson in the 1980s. Grounded in attachment theory, EFT helps couples understand the deeper emotional needs and fears driving their conflict — and learn to reach for each other instead of pulling away or pushing back.

Most couples come in arguing about the dishes, schedules, or sex — but beneath the surface, they're really asking: Are you there for me? Do I matter to you? EFT helps you both hear and answer those questions in ways that actually create connection.

With roughly 75–90% of couples showing significant improvement in research studies, EFT has one of the strongest evidence bases of any couples therapy model.

Attachment Needs

What we're really asking for

Accessibility — Are you available to me when I reach out?

Responsiveness — Do you care about what I'm feeling?

Engagement — Am I important enough to hold your attention?

Safety — Can I be vulnerable with you without being hurt?

The Negative Cycle

Understanding what keeps you stuck

Most couples get caught in a painful, repeating pattern. One partner pursues; the other withdraws. Both feel alone. EFT helps you recognize and step out of this cycle together.

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Partner A feels disconnected

Reaches out through criticism or demands — a protest against the distance

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Partner B feels attacked

Withdraws or shuts down to avoid conflict — a protective move

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Both feel more alone

The cycle intensifies — both partners' deepest fears confirmed

The cycle is the problem — not you, and not your partner. In EFT, we work together to understand what's happening beneath the surface, so you can reach for each other rather than triggering each other.

The EFT Journey

Three stages of transformation

1

Stage One

De-escalation

We identify the negative cycle keeping you both stuck and begin to understand the emotions and fears underneath it.

  • Mapping your conflict pattern
  • Identifying underlying emotions
  • Reducing blame and defensiveness
  • Building a shared language
2

Stage Two

Restructuring

We help each partner share deeper needs and fears, and help the other respond in new, healing ways.

  • Expressing vulnerable emotions
  • Softening defensive positions
  • Creating "bonding moments"
  • Building new patterns of connection
3

Stage Three

Consolidation

We integrate the changes you've made, problem-solve old issues from a new place of security, and prepare for the future.

  • Revisiting old conflicts with new tools
  • Strengthening secure attachment
  • Celebrating growth together
  • Planning for ongoing connection
Is EFT Right for You?

EFT can help couples navigating…

Communication Breakdown

When every conversation turns into an argument, or one of you has gone quiet altogether.

Emotional Distance

Feeling like roommates, disconnected, or like you're living parallel lives under one roof.

Trust & Betrayal

Recovering from an affair, breach of trust, or a wound that hasn't fully healed.

Recurring Conflict

The same argument that cycles back again and again, never fully resolved.

Life Transitions

Becoming parents, career shifts, loss, illness, or other changes straining your bond.

Intimacy & Connection

Longing for emotional or physical closeness that feels out of reach.

Common Questions

You might be wondering…

Does EFT work if only one of us wants to come? +
EFT is most effective when both partners attend together. That said, I encourage you to reach out even if your partner is uncertain — sometimes a brief conversation can help answer concerns and open the door. Individual therapy can also be a powerful starting point.
How long does EFT couples therapy take? +
EFT is considered a short-to-medium term model — typically 8 to 20 sessions, though every couple is different. The pace depends on the complexity of what you're working through and how quickly trust and safety develop in the process.
Can EFT help after an affair? +
Yes. EFT has been shown to be effective in helping couples recover from infidelity, though it requires commitment from both partners and often takes more time. We'll work carefully through the grief, broken trust, and the underlying conditions that contributed to the rupture.
Is EFT available via telehealth? +
Yes, I offer EFT couples therapy both in-person and via secure telehealth. Many couples find virtual sessions surprisingly effective, especially when logistics make in-person attendance difficult.
What if we're considering divorce — is it too late? +
Not necessarily. Many couples arrive feeling at the end of their rope, and EFT has helped couples in that place reconnect in meaningful ways. However, EFT isn't about keeping couples together at all costs — it's about helping you both understand what's happening and make clear, informed choices about your relationship.

Your relationship deserves support.

Reaching out is an act of courage — for you and your partner. Let's talk about how EFT might help.

Schedule a Consultation
Contact

Let's talk about what brings you here.

Taking the first step is often the hardest part. Whether you have questions or are ready to schedule, I'd love to hear from you. I typically respond within one business day.

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Location

715 N. Central Ave, Suite 108
Glendale, CA 91203
Telehealth available throughout California

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Phone / Text

(818) 533-1531

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Email

Request an Appointment

Ready to take the next step? Use the button below to request an appointment or consultation directly through my secure client portal.

You can also reach me by phone or text at (818) 533-1531. I typically respond within one business day.