Jelena Cingel Bodinet, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Welcome!
Hi, I’m Jelena Bodinet, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who is passionate about guiding people through their healing journeys. My own experience as a refugee and the challenges I faced with war-related trauma deeply shaped my approach to therapy. I understand how difficult it can be to process life’s hardships, and I believe in the power of combining evidence-based therapies with a heart-centered, compassionate approach.
In my work, I lean on my training in mindfulness and somatic therapy and emphasize the importance of connecting the mind and body in the healing process. My practice is characterized by a compassionate and client-centered methodology, helping my clients to navigate through challenges such as anxiety, depression, and trauma. My dedication to evidence-based techniques allows me to provide effective support tailored to each client's unique needs, fostering resilience and personal growth.
Why choose to work with me?
I aim to deeply understand each client's unique needs and patterns, and support them to gain self-awareness, emotional regulation, personal growth, and life-changing transformation. I specialize in helping clients to:
Decrease anxiety and depression
Heal past trauma
Work through life transitions
Navigate conflicts in relationships
Learn to understand and work with their emotions
Cope with grief
I draw on various specialized trainings, including Somatic Experiencing (SE), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to create the holistic and integrative approach to helping you get the best out of therapy!
“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”
— The Dalai Lama
My Story
I’m a first-generation immigrant, a former refugee, and a Bosnian-American-Californian mother/daughter/sister/friend. My first passion in life was peace work, and I spent two decades working with non-profits, governmental, and educational institutions trying to make my contribution to the creation of a more peaceful world.
During my time as a peace studies professor, my students taught me that peace starts within—it begins with each and every one of us creating a little more peace within and then letting it ripple out into our homes, relationships, and communities.
I now work with individuals and couples, helping them create more compassion within themselves, their bodies, and their relationships. Often, this takes us to a place where clients start to understand their deeper selves and their patterns, create healthy boundaries in their relationships, and uncover their true potential.
Professional Background
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, CA, LMFT147328
M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy, Alliant International University
M.A. in Peace and Justice Studies, University of San Diego
Specialized training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 1, Somatic Experiencing (SE) Level 2, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Teacher Training
Additional training in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy and trauma-informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Varied experience including, teaching, curriculum writing, facilitating mindfulness groups, writing, and offering individual, couples, family, and group therapy
Experience working with individuals throughout the lifespan
