IVY GRIFFIN

Pronouns: she/her

Work schedule: M - Th

Therapist in Sacramento and online in ca

My Approach for adult and teen therapy

When I first began working as a therapist, I was so struck by the stories each client had to share. As an avid reader, it dawned on me that each client comes to therapy with their own narrative filled with main and minor characters, climaxes and plot twists, and it was my job to join this story in the middle and see where it would take us, as if we were living out one of those “Choose Your Own Adventure” books, albeit with infinitely more options. I love this part of therapy, and it fills me with excitement and hope each time. Neurobiological research has even found that having a coherent personal narrative is one of the essential parts of healing - so a big win for the story!

I also love getting to the root of what really matters. I hate small talk, and in my therapy sessions, we get to skip small talk completely. If you work with me in therapy, you can expect that I’ll offer you warmth, caring and a non-judgmental space where you can explore your deepest struggles. I tend to be pretty easy to talk to and make people feel comfortable. I’ve even had a few people be surprised that we could laugh so much while addressing difficult topics. I must admit - I love a good, belly laugh!

I strongly believe that, as social beings, we get better through connection and support. I see how isolation contributes to or worsens a lot of challenges, and I think that by the time people seek therapy they’ve been trying really hard to solve their problems on their own but feel stuck or unsure about what else to do. Often, we may think we’re so alone or so broken or like no one has ever been through this before, but it’s not true. When you work with me, you know you have someone in your corner. You'll have help in fighting for yourself, and you won't have to face problems alone anymore.

I’ve spent years focusing on counseling teens and young adults because I know that these are years that are incredibly important. When you've got a skilled therapist early on, it can have a profound and lasting impact on the quality of your life. However, I also know that it’s never too late to change, and this moment right now is a beautiful place to start. So, wherever you may be in your life’s journey, if you’re ready to focus on creating a happier, healthier life, just reach out.

My Specialties include hsps, work stress, and low self-esteem:

Teen Therapy
Adults & busy Professionals
Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)
Adults with Childhood Emotional Neglect (CEN)
Therapy for anxiety (including acute anxiety, social anxiety and panic attack help)
Overcoming depression (chronic depression, prepartum or perinatal depression, etc.)
People coping with life or job stress
Low self-esteem, lack of confidence, or low self value

Some of my Therapy Approaches:

Brainspotting Therapy
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Humanistic, experiential, & person-centered
Mindfulness & Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

MY EDUCATION

Having grown up in east Tennessee, I completed my Bachelor’s degree at the University of Tennessee. Later, I earned my Master's degree Summa Cum Laude from Chapman University. As part of the training to be a licensed MFT, I completed over 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, passed two licensing exams and engage in ongoing continuing education trainings.

My Experience Includes Brainspotting and ACT Therapy

Some of my recent training favorites include Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Microaggressions & Implicit Bias, Yoga for Trauma, and Brainspotting.

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Sacramento

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) #51714, a CAMFT Certified Clinical Supervisor, and a Certified Brainspotting therapist.

I've been a practicing therapist for 13 years, in private practice for 10, and running a group practice for 5 years. I branched out into running a group practice because 1.) I got lonely in private practice (even though I worked with people all day, I missed having co-workers around!), 2.) I had learned the business side of private practice and wanted to help other therapists learn it too (Believe it or not, we get no training on this in school!), and 3.) I had a full caseload of clients and wanted to be able to offer help to more people. Fast forward a few years, and I'm so proud of the work my team and I are able to do, the sense of community we create, and the opportunities we have to serve even more people in our corner of the world!

fees and payment

My fee is $200 per 50 minute therapy hour.

a bit MORE ABOUT ME . . .

I live with my husband and our two adopted kitties, Cassiopeia ‘Cassi’ and Cosmos, in Sacramento. I love exploring and being outdoors. In fact, if you catch me on a break between appointments, I’m likely to be taking a walk around the neighborhood. Just a few of my other favorite things--reading, hiking, traveling, eating sushi, zumba-ing (That really should be a verb. :) ). I believe strongly in our inherent dignity as human beings and in everyone's right to access the resources they need to live happy, productive lives. I do my best to maintain a regular meditation practice, although that is always a work in progress.