Hi I'm Jess!
I'm a recreational therapist and psychotherapist who helps people using multiple modalities including: EMDR, IFS, meditation, surf therapy, spiritual psychology, and Imago and Gottman Couples therapy. I help my clients process and heal pain and mental illness and then find their strengths and purpose so they can live life to the fullest. 

I believe there is power in authenticity and vulnerability, so I will tell you that much of my motivation and skill as a therapist comes from my lived experience. As a child, I endured abuse and other traumas which led to depression, addiction, anxiety and PTSD. I have worked my ass off to recover and learned so many helpful strategies and resources in my journey out of that darkness and into my current life full of love, joy and connection. I have been able to lift myself up from the lowest and darkest of places to become a helper and I believe my clients can do the same. As Marcus Aurelius says:  "What stands in the way becomes the way." I have learned how to turn challenge into growth and thriving and my passion is to help others do the same.

I've been on the path of helping people grow, heal and thrive since 2014 when I began volunteering as a surf therapist while completing my BA in Recreational Therapy at Cal State University Long Beach. I continued on to complete a Masters in Psychology at Brandman University so that I could help clients on a deeper level as an Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. 

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RESUME

Jessica Ripley
Huntington Beach, CA
(562)317-0187
jess@sealovehealing.com 
Education and Certifications

● M.A. in Psychology with a focus on Marriage and Family Therapy from Brandman University

● B.A. in Recreation with an option in Recreational Therapy from California State University Long Beach

● Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #127571 
  ~EMDR Basic Training completed through EMDR Professional Training

​● Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist by National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification #67352

● CPR and First Aid certified through American CPR Training
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● Core 100 and BCC life coach training completed through Robbins Madanes Training

​Employment:
​
LMFT at Inner Wisdom, Huntington Beach, CA
09/2020- 09/2021
~ I provide EMDR, IFS, Humanistic, Psychodynamic and other therapies to individuals seeking to heal past pain 
~I provide art and play therapy for children
~ I facilitate Imago and Gottman informed couples therapy

Recreational Therapist and AMFT at Lido Wellness Center Newport Beach, CA
03/2018- 01/2021
~I run weekly groups including: healthy relationships, indoor and outdoor experiential groups and weekend planning/processing
~I provide individual therapy and case management
~ I conduct intake assessments

Surf Therapy Facilitator at Groundswell Community Project
01/2020- Present
-I am the therapy facilitator for Orange County surf therapy groups, which help women overcome trauma and other mental health concerns
-Volunteer surf therapist at Groundswell Huanchaco, Peru

AMFT at Windows of Hope Long Beach, CA
03/2019- 03/2020
~ I provided therapy to individuals, couples and families
~ Modalities I utilize include EMDR, Play Therapy, Imago, Humanistic and Psychodynamic

Independent Recreational Therapist at Recreation Remedy
03/2016- Present
~ Provide therapeutic interventions based on strengths and needs of the client using surfing, kayaking, music, arts and crafts

Recreational Therapy Intern at Veterans Hospital Long Beach, CA
08/2015-12/2015
~ I completed a 560 hour internship at the VA under the Recreational Therapists working in Psychiatry, Geriatrics, Spinal Cord Injury and Blind Rehabilitation
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Volunteer Experience:

• I have recent volunteer experience with the Jimmy Miller Foundation doing Ocean Therapy with Marines at Camp Pendleton, with A Walk on Water doing surf therapy with children with developmental disabilities, with Life Rolls on doing surf therapy with participants with spinal cord injuries, and Operation Surf working with veterans
• I have volunteered with adults and children with developmental disabilities doing various recreation activities at Abilities First in Long Beach
• I have volunteered in the RT program at the Long Beach VA working with veterans with spinal cord injuries and visual impairments

 
Special Skills

• I have skills in recreation areas of surfing, hiking, painting, music, relaxation/meditation techniques, gardening, yoga, pet therapy and camping