Jill Ertel

You may be managing work, relationships, family responsibilities, and everyone else’s needs while privately feeling exhausted, anxious, disconnected, or unsure of what needs to change. Perhaps you have reached a point where pushing through is no longer working—but you also do not want therapy to feel like one more obligation.

I work with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, burnout, relationship difficulties, and major life transitions. Many of my clients are capable, responsible people who appear to be functioning well while feeling overwhelmed or stuck underneath.

With more than 13 years of experience, I offer practical, collaborative therapy focused on understanding what is keeping you stuck and finding realistic ways forward. You do not have to arrive with the right words, a perfectly defined goal, or certainty about what you need. We can begin with what is happening now and work from there.

My approach is solution-focused, person-centered, and grounded in the belief that you are the expert on your own life. I will not tell you what your life should look like or push you toward changes that do not fit your values.

Together, we will look at what is happening, what you have already tried, and what may be maintaining the problem. We will build on your strengths while identifying practical changes that feel manageable in your real life. Depending on your needs, I may use strategies from cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, problem-solving therapy, and other evidence-based approaches.

Therapy with me is collaborative and flexible. Some sessions may focus on gaining insight, while others may involve making a plan, practicing a new response, or deciding what small step would make life feel more manageable.

You can expect me to listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, and offer honest feedback without judgment. I am an active therapist: I will help you notice patterns, connect what is happening now with what may be driving it, and consider options you may not have been able to see while overwhelmed.

Early sessions typically focus on understanding what brought you to therapy, what is affecting you most, and what you would like to be different. We will then identify priorities and begin working toward realistic goals at a pace that feels sustainable.

My goal is for you to leave therapy with more than insight. I want you to develop practical tools, greater confidence in your decisions, and a clearer understanding of how to move forward without returning to the patterns that have left you depleted or stuck.