About Jill M. Cooper, LMFT, ATR

 

Jill Cooper, LMFT, Menlo Park, CA

After overcoming some losses and tribulations, I decided early on that I wanted go into a helping profession. My interest in helping people became more defined in college while studying Sociology. I realized that I was not alone in my experiences, and many people experience various sources and degrees of difficulty and suffering.

We may not be able to prevent our circumstances, but with the right tools and help, we can adapt, cope, heal, and resolve our problems. Counseling is one way to develop these tools.

I have worked as a K-8 school based counselor, a clinic based psychotherapist for children, teens, young adults and families, a therapist at a psychiatric hospital, and currently as a therapist in private practice. I have extensive and varied counseling experience working with children and teens, families, and young adults. Although I am a Marriage and Family Therapist, I primarily work with individuals and families. I do not offer marriage counseling.

My theoretical orientation is best described as eclectic.  I don’t believe in a “one size fits all” approach to counseling. I primarily utilize Humanistic-Existential Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (including CBT, TF-CBT, ACT, and Exposure Therapies); however, my practice is enhanced by my knowledge of Family Systems Theory, Attachment Theory, and Art Therapy.

Throughout my professional experience, I am continually amazed by the resilience and strength of people of all ages.

Education 

  • Mills College
  • B.A. Sociology with Honors, Minor in English Literature
  • Loyola Marymount University
  • M.A. Marital & Family Therapy with specialization in Clinical Art Therapy

Licensure & Credentials

  • CA Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
  • LFMT#50887
  • Credentialed Art Therapist
  • ATCB# 10-028

Specialized Professional Training

  • Exposure Therapy for Anxiety Disorders with Amy Jenks, PsyD
  • Training for Family-Based Treatment of Eating Disorders in Adolescents: The Maudsley Method with James Lock, MD, PhD, at the Training Institute for Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders, Stanford, CA
  • Essentials of CBT: The Beck Institute
  • CBT for Depression: The Beck Institute
  • CBT for Anxiety: The Beck Institute

 Professional Affiliations

  • Clinical Member of CAMFT, California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
  • Professional Member of ADAA, Anxiety and Depression Association of America