- harm reduction approach
- attachment focus
- CBT and DBT methods
About Jamie
Jamie Lavender is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California with 21 years of clinical experience. He works with people facing addiction, relationship strain, trauma, grief, depression, anxiety, and the pressures of early adulthood. Jamie uses straightforward, client-centered methods to help people speak about what matters and find practical ways to change.
He focuses on substance and impulse concerns with a harm reduction approach. That means exploring options such as moderation, periods of abstinence, or other practical steps that fit a person's life. Sessions look at the behavior and its effects, and then identify small, sustainable changes that feel possible.
Jamie also helps with relationship problems, intimacy and sexual concerns including BDSM and kink culture, blended family issues, parenting stresses, and communication difficulties. He brings attachment-based ideas into conversations about trust, closeness, and repair in relationships. He uses techniques drawn from cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy to build new skills for emotion regulation and coping.
People working through loss, career transitions, body image worries, or questions about identity and LGBT concerns will find practical conversation here. Jamie tends to keep things direct and focused on what someone can do next, rather than abstract theory. He pays attention to family of origin patterns and how they shape choices now.
He offers sessions in English from California. To begin, visitors can use the site’s matching flow to complete a short questionnaire and schedule a first session. Costs vary by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How his approaches translate to online work
Jamie draws on attachment-based ideas to look at patterns of closeness and distance in relationships, helping people understand how early bonds shape current reactions. That approach is useful for relationship conflicts, intimacy issues, and attachment concerns.He also uses client-centered therapy, which centers the conversation on what the person brings. That means sessions focus on listening, reflecting, and helping people say what they need to say. Cognitive behavioral therapy is used alongside these approaches to identify unhelpful thoughts and try practical, behavior-focused experiments to reduce stress and mood symptoms.
Deciding which approach to use is part of the work. Jamie treats it as a collaborative process - he will review goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before, and then try methods that match those needs. The approach can shift as progress is made.
The profile does not list specific session formats here, so confirm current online session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into busy life schedules, allow shorter check-ins around study or work, and remove commute time so people can use therapy more consistently. Ask about the available session types when you complete the matching questionnaire.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
21+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does he work with?
He works with addictions, relationship problems, trauma, grief, depression, anxiety, and related issues listed in his profile such as body image and parenting stress.
What is his therapeutic style like?
Jamie uses a client-centered approach that is direct and practical. He combines attachment ideas with CBT and DBT techniques to help people build skills and make changes.
How much experience does he have?
He has 21 years of clinical experience as a practicing therapist in California.
What are his credentials and location?
He is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, CA LMFT, practicing in California.
Does he work in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with him?
He is not currently accepting international clients.
How are sessions booked and what do they cost?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start a first session?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy through BetterHelp is for adults aged 18 and over and is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.