Jody Bremer is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with the California Board
of Behavioral Sciences. She received her Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology
with Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University, Summa
Cum Laude in 2004.
She received her Bachelor of Arts from Tulane University, Magna Cum Laude. Since
embarking on her career, Jody has worked with the Irvine School District as a
school therapist, concentrating on working with children and families who are
suffering from life changes (divorce, death, etc.) and those with Asperger's
Syndrome or other socially challenging needs or skills training. She received
her certification at this time as a Skills Facilitator and Coach for Active
Parenting of Children ages 5-12, and Active Parenting of Teens ages 13-18.
In addition, she has focused for a number of years on working with
court-sanctioned substance abusers, ranging from first-time offenders in the PC
1000 group to repeat offenders in the Prop 36 program, offering both individual
and group therapy as needed. Jody also worked with domestic violence, offering
therapy in crisis capacity to the women and children who sought help at Laura's
House, an immediate and short-term shelter and crisis center for domestic
violence victims.
Jody worked at the Drake Institute, a facility specializing in neurofeedback for
the treatment of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in children and
adults, as well as Asperger's and autism. She has worked as a case
manager/program coordinator and supportive care therapist for families involved
in the treatment at this facility.
Jody received a special certification and verification from the California
Association of Marriage and Family Therapists in Working with Military and Their
Families In Private Practice. Servicemen from the Marines, Navy, Army and Air
Force are a significant specialty, allowing her to provide personalized care for
all of the military members and their families struggling with the specific
hardships the military incurs, such as long-term separations, deployments, and
PTSD.
Today, Jody maintains a successful private practice with two offices in Southern
California, providing long-term and short-term therapy for individuals,
children, couples and families in conflict. She also writes articles for
magazines and recently had her first book published, “Looking For That Last
First Date: An Insider’s Guide to Dating After Divorce”
In My Own Words
I consider myself very lucky to be doing what I love. Especially to find it at this
middle stage of life. I have experienced a vast array of life's challenges, including
a life-threatening childhood illness, a stint as a Marine Corps wife, mother to
two fabulous children who, thankfully, are well into and almost past their teen
years, and completing my Master's Degree a full 20 years after graduating from high
school. During that time, I served as everything from a karate and self-defense
instructor (yes, I have a black belt and 2 brown belts!), a personal trainer, a
couples/honeymoon/family cruise and vacation travel company owner. Throughout all
of my life, one thing has tied everything together-- my love of working with people,
and doing what I could to help them achieve their goals. Karate, self-defense, personal
training, even travel... all of those career paths prepared me for my eventual road
in marriage and family therapy. Helping others. Making people happier than they
were, more secure, more confident, more capable.
I have received many academic awards, but my greatest reward is seeing my children
grow into responsible, happy and caring, secure and successful adults. Parenting
is a challenge, and I can assist you through this most difficult and rewarding of
challenges.
I have reached many goals, such as sky-diving before I turned 40, and writing a
humorous novel about dating. But my greatest goal would be to see more human beings
reach their potential and achieve their own happiness and success, however they
measure it. Humans like yourself.
I have experienced great loss. I understand grief and all the stages of denial,
anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. I have lived through them all, many
times over, and I helped others understand their losses and move forward. I want
to help you.
I have experienced great love and the pain that can associated with it. I know that
love has many sides, and that love is capable of crippling us as well as lifting
us higher than imaginable. You don't need me when you're high, but I will be there
for you when love hurts.
Some things in our lives may seem too difficult or private to speak of. Things such
as sexual dysfunction or sexual problems. Sex is a crucial part of life. Without
it, our species would not propagate. We are also one of the very few species who
can actually enjoy our sexuality. If you are not enjoying one of life's greatest
sources of pleasures, perhaps you will talk with me and allow me to help you (with
or without your partner) understand and demystify the sexual act and provide resources
to allow yourself to freely and unihibitedly communicate about and experience sex
in possibly a whole new way.
Jody