Justin Jacobson

I received my Master of Social Work from Brigham Young University in 2021 and have worked as a therapist in a community-based nonprofit focused on trauma treatment and prevention. I primarily enjoy working with teen and adult males, especially those who may feel guarded, unsure, or disengaged when starting therapy. I strive to create a therapeutic space that is safe for hard work and genuinely enjoyable, balancing challenge with humor, curiosity, and collaboration. I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing, and tailor these approaches to each client’s goals. Above all, I believe lasting change happens through real human connection and a strong therapeutic relationship.

Research consistently shows that the strongest predictor of successful therapy is the quality of the therapeutic relationship. In other words, meaningful change happens when the client and therapist feel connected, understood, and able to work together. Because of this, my approach to therapy begins with creating a space that feels both safe and enjoyable.

I’ve found that when people feel comfortable and respected in the therapeutic relationship, the work tends to unfold more naturally. From that foundation, we can get curious about patterns that may be getting in the way of healthier living, explore past experiences or traumas that continue to have an impact, and work toward lasting, practical solutions. My goal is to support meaningful growth in a way that feels engaging, collaborative, and sustainable.

In the first session, you can expect me to spend time getting to know you and your life more broadly. I was trained to conduct a biopsychosocial evaluation, which is simply a structured way of asking questions to form a full picture of who you are—not just your current challenges or reasons for reaching out, but also your history, relationships, environment, and strengths.

From there, we’ll talk through what you’re hoping to work on and begin identifying goals. My early priority is to listen, understand your perspective, and make sure you feel heard. Once we have a shared understanding, we’ll collaborate on what we want to address and develop a tentative plan for how we’ll move forward together.