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Psychotherapy

Dr. Jeanne Jakob offers outpatient individual psychotherapy services to adults 18+, parents, and select older teens. She has provided more than 5800 therapy sessions since she has been in practice, not counting the 7 years of supervised hours she received as part of her PhD training. She has been in private practice since 2012, and has maintained a practice in the Bay Area since 2016. You can read more about her background, training and career HERE.

Therapy sessions with Dr. Jakob involve a mix of learning practical coping skills, in-session experiential/present-centered practice, and providing a safe space for clients to express and process identity, past trauma and life transition issues. Dr. Jakob draws from evidence-based models, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), alongside more traditional and client-centered approaches, such as psychodynamic, family-systems and existential/humanistic traditions.

Dr. Jakob regularly incorporates mindfulness, relaxation, and experiential techniques into her therapy sessions.  Her personalized guided mindfulness sessions are inspired from a culmination of 20+ years of practicing yoga, attending ACT and mindfulness retreats, and learning emotion regulation, hypnosis, and imaginal exposure-based techniques by experts in the field. 

Dr. Jakob has particular expertise in anxiety, trauma, PTSD and exposure-based interventions, particularly Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD. She worked for many years on PTSD clinical trials and has treated an array of trauma survivors, including combat veterans, sexual/physical assault survivors, and developmental trauma survivors.

Dr. Jakob's clientele has included tech workers, helping professionals and caregivers. She has helped many women find balance and self-esteem in the various roles they play and life stages they encounter. She is familiar with the mental health impact of working and raising children in a fast-paced, competitive region that also offers rich learning experiences, natural beauty, and innovation.

Areas of Expertise2026-10-21T14:16:23-07:00

  • Trauma / PTSD / ​​General anxiety, social anxiety, health anxiety, panic, worry, and perfectionism
  • Mindfulness / relaxation training / systematic desensitization
  • Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD
  • Blending CBT, ACT, DBT interventions
  • Neurodivergent-stress (Highly Sensitive Person, Introverts, ADHD, giftedness)
  • Depression (ACT, Behavioral Activation, CBT, Interpersonal)
  • Insomnia (CBT-I)
  • Family-of-origin processing
  • Loss/Grief/Bereavement
  • LGBTQ/BIPOC related stress
  • Identity/values confusion
  • Work/life balance and finding purpose in one’s occupation
  • Relationship challenges, uncertainty and conflict
  • Parent/caregiver stress
Substance use/addiction, eating disorders and self-harm2026-11-03T11:47:28-08:00

Occasional substance misuse, body image and eating challenges, and self-harm urges and behaviors are within the scope of Dr. Jakob’s practice. However, if addressing these challenges is your primary goal for therapy, or if they are of significant severity and frequency, Dr. Jakob will recommend working with a therapist/clinic specializing in these areas to receive the best care available.

Higher levels of care and specialized interventions2026-11-03T11:48:27-08:00

Sometimes, clinical concerns require a higher level of care or problem-specific interventions that are outside the scope of what Dr. Jakob can provide in an outpatient private practice. When this is the case, Dr. Jakob will recommend a transfer of care and discuss options for resuming care with me if/when appropriate. Dr. Jakob may also recommend adjunctive skills or group-based work in addition to individual sessions with her, particularly in cases when individual therapy alone is not sufficient for symptom improvement.

Teens, parents and individuals seeking care for a reluctant significant other2026-11-03T11:50:44-08:00

Dr. Jakob works best with older teens (16+) who express an interest and willingness to participate in therapy services. For teens or individuals who are reluctant to engage in therapy, therapy can be helpful for the parent(s) or significant other themselves.

Diagnosis2026-11-03T11:51:27-08:00

As a psychologist, Dr. Jakob received rigorous training in the assessment of mental health symptoms and diagnosis. Psychological diagnosis (based on the DSM-5-TR or ICD-11 criteria) provides a standardized framework for understanding and classifying mental health conditions to facilitate effective treatment, self-understanding, and communication among providers. Although psychological diagnosis can offer these benefits, it is not a perfect science. Classification systems have changed over time, and there is ongoing debate regarding various diagnoses. Many disorders share the same symptoms, making differential diagnosis a challenge. There is also the risk of pathologizing aspects of the human experience that are contextually appropriate or represent aspects of human diversity. For all of these considerations, diagnosis is a part of the clinical process but one that Dr. Jakob approaches with nuance and flexibility.

As a practical matter, a diagnosis is required for documentation if seeking third-party reimbursement for services.

Referrals for outside evaluation2026-11-03T11:52:03-08:00

In-depth neuropsychological evaluation by an independent clinician (not your therapist) is the best tool for diagnosing learning disabilities, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders, dementia, giftedness, and intellectual strengths and weaknesses. At times, Dr. Jakob may recommend you pursue a neuropsychological evaluation or medical evaluation to discern mental health symptoms (depression, anxiety, fatigue, irritability, insomnia) from possible underlying cognitive and biological factors.

California Board of Psychology2024-08-29T12:11:40-07:00

The California Board of Psychology enforces laws that protect consumers of psychological services by accepting and investigating complaints. BOP provides consumers with the brochures: “For Your Peace of Mind” and “Therapy Never Includes Sexual Behavior.”

Fees2026-11-03T11:59:49-08:00

Dr. Jakob’s fees for psychotherapy services are commensurate with those of other clinical psychologists practicing in the Bay Area who have similar levels of experience, training, and expertise. Contact Kyla (office assistant, kyla@drjeannejakob.com) for Dr. Jakob’s current fee schedule.

Dr. Jakob is considered an out-of-network provider for all insurance plans except the EAP, Lyra Health. Payment is expected via credit/HSA card when services are rendered. A superbill will be emailed on a monthly basis to submit to insurance for reimbursement purposes.

48 Hour Late Cancellations/No-Show policy2024-02-13T22:25:54-08:00

Missed or canceled appointments with less than 48 hours notice are billed at the rate of the service scheduled.

Therapy relationship.

Creating a safe, collaborative, and nonjudgmental space is the highest priority in Dr. Jakob’s work with clients. An effective working relationship is characterized by shared goals, trust and rapport, and ongoing efforts to enhance your motivation and willingness to build a meaningful life amid life’s hardships, mental health symptoms, and relationship challenges. Although Dr. Jakob brings significant knowledge about human psychology, emotion, and behavior to the relationship, this expertise is most impactful within a mutually respectful, compassionate therapeutic relationship.

Safe space.

Dr. Jakob is committed to providing a safe, confidential, and welcoming space for all. Dr. Jakob believes the various aspects of our identities (cultural, racial, LGBTQ, BIPOC, religious/spiritual, neurodiversity, and family backgrounds) make us unique and valuable. She believes they should be celebrated, understood, and respected.

“A helping relationship is not a matter of an expert doing something to or using techniques on clients. It is about working with, alongside and for clients. It is not like wrestling; it’s more like dancing together.”

~ Miller & Rollnick, 2013

Dr. Jakob’s role as therapist

As a helping professional not intimately involved in your life, Dr. Jakob is trained to deeply listen, observe, and notice patterns and themes, educate and dispel myths about human behavior and emotion, provide alternative perspectives, teach psychological flexibility skills, and continually motivate you to “opt-in” to life in the service of your chosen values. Dr. Jakob strives to cultivate a foundation of compassion, goodwill, and safety to support the aspects of therapy that can be challenging and emotionally evocative.

Your role as client.

You have a lifetime of experience with yourself to draw upon. Therapy is not a passive experience, nor is it solely a venue for venting or receiving unlimited emotional support. For it to be effective and worthwhile, your motivation, curiosity, and willingness to practice new behaviors and consider new perspectives (within and outside of therapy) will facilitate a more meaningful experience.

“Dr. Jakob believes that most people have an inner wisdom that can be accessed if they slow down, pay attention, learn to distinguish their mind from their heart and tune into the latter.”

Dr. Jakob’s approach.

Dr. Jakob draws from several therapeutic perspectives, with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) , Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT-Informed) approaches providing foundational frameworks. You can read more about her credentials here.

Jeanne is a wonderful clinician who is highly knowledgeable about evidence-based interventions. She also deeply cares about her clients and provides them with the respect, unconditional acceptance, and thoughtfulness they deserve.

Nicole Peak, PhD - Psychologist, Sillon Wellness
An intelligent, positive, forward thinker and collaborator.
Kate Keenan, PhD - Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago
Jeanne is a remarkably kind, insightful, patient, and forward-thinking psychologist always mindful of the latest in psychological science. Her expertise in applying the ‘art’ of therapy as well is truly exceptional, and individuals lucky enough to secure her as their psychologist will quickly experience and benefit from her skills.
Fellow Bay Area Psychologist

She is an outstanding professional. Her patients would be fortunate to have her as their provider.

Carolyn Daitch, PhD - Psychologist, Author, Road to Calm Workbook, Affect Regulation Toolbox, Anxious in Love, and Anxiety Disorders: The Go to Guide for Clients and Therapists, CarolynDaitchPHD.com

Jeanne is curious, compassionate and incredibly competent – a constellation of what makes a great therapist. Having trained with her, I was impressed from day one with her command of the research – and also really appreciated her desire to learn more and more and more. She draws from a wealth of experience and different forms of therapy to provide individualized care, giving all of us therapists an example to live up to.

Linda Michaels, PsyD, Author, Editor: Advancing Psychotherapy for the Next Generation: Humanizing Mental Health Policy and Practice

Jeanne is a particularly skilled and dedicated clinical psychologist, well trained and experienced in helping people struggling with a variety of mental health concerns. She uses evidence based interventions in a nuanced, individually tailored, caring and collaborative manner. She integrates cognitive, behavioral and interpersonal elements for excellent care. She is a warm and genuine person and colleague. I give her my ultimate compliment – which is that I wouldn’t hesitate to refer a loved one to her care!

Shelly Van Etten Lee, PhD, Director of Psychology Training, Mary A. Rackham Institute
Jeanne is an excellent, evidence-based clinician who provides state of the art care to her clients. She provides strength based individualized services informed by collaborative goal setting. She is compassionate and creative in her work, and always striving to maximize her impact on individuals and mental health care more broadly.
Norah Feeny, PhD - Professor, Case Western Reserve University
I pinch myself often because I can’t believe my good fortune to have Jeanne as a member of our consultation team. Jeanne is relentlessly curious, diligent, generous, and vulnerable, which sets the tone to challenge us to be better while we simultaneously feel encouraged and valued. She truly is all that and a bag of chips!
Soo Uhm, PhD - Psychologist, PsychSkillsForMe.com

Jeanne takes her responsibilities as a healer and medical professional very seriously, and consistently strives to offer the best possible care for her clients. Her clients very much value her presence and the work she does with them, and they grow and change and create more satisfying lives with less suffering as a result of it. I think the world of her!

Julie Leader, PhD - Psychologist, JulieLeader.com

Jeanne is a flexible and warm, smart and kind clinician and person. She is always looking for ways to improve her practice and client outcomes. She is insightful and creatively able to apply science to improve client function and quality of life.

Sheila Rauch, PhD - Psychologist, Deputy Director of Emory Healthcare Veterans Program

Jeanne had a solid overview of running a private practice efficiently.

Tamara Wade, MSW, Tamara Wade Therapy
Jeanne is a thoughtful and present clinician. She is skilled at building relationships and using her empathy and insight to help people make progress toward their goals. I cherished our time as colleagues and friends!
Danielle Shapiro, PhD, ABPP-CN - Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Michigan Medicine

Jeanne brings deep wisdom, exquisite care, and years of experience to her work as a psychologist. I recommend her, and her work, wholeheartedly.

Lisa Damour, PhD - Psychologist, New York Times Bestselling Author, Untangled, Under Pressure, The Emotional Lives of Teenagers, and cohost of the Ask Lisa Podcast

Dr. (Duax) Jakob has years of experience and expertise as a mental health professional. She has published research in scientific journals, helped conduct clinical research trials, successfully treated patients with complex mental health conditions, and consulted interdisciplinary teams in hospital and clinic settings. She is intelligent, kind, and compassionate and dedicated to her profession and patients.

Michael Messina, PhD, Associate Chief, Mental Health
Jeanne’s ability to engage with clients in an authentic and grounded manner created a healing space of trust and hope. Her curiosity and keen intelligence broadened her clinical skills and personal development. Her integrity and ability to create safe boundaries further enhances her efficacy as a therapist.
Eileen Bond, LCSW - Social Worker, University of Michigan Supervising Faculty

Jeanne has been a colleague, a friend and a mentor for over 15 years. She champions the work of anxiety treatment, mood disorders and PTSD. I highly recommend her services for both her warm/inviting style and expertise.

Georgia Pitsakis, LCSW - Social Work Manager, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Jeanne is among the most thoughtful therapists I’ve ever known. She is exceptionally well trained in evidence-based treatments and is gifted in her ability to tailor these treatments to her clients. What impresses me most about Jeanne is all of the work she puts in behind the scenes – coordinating with other providers, consulting with colleagues, reflecting on cases in the shower. It’s no wonder she’s one of the most sought after therapists in the Bay area.

Caroline Fleck, PhD - Psychologist, DrCarolineFleck.com

Jeanne is a wonderful person and a skilled professional. I have always been impressed with her skill as a therapist.

James Overholser, PhD - Professor, Case Western Reserve University, Board-certified clinical psychologist, Author of the Clinical Guide for The Socratic Method of Psychotherapy

Jeanne is very skillful as a clinician and I really enjoy consulting with her. I find her opinions very helpful and thoughtful and she is a trusted colleague I happily refer clients to.

Moira Kessler, MD - Child, Adolescent & Adult Psychiatrist, Moira Kessler, MD

Jeanne is an incredibly skilled and compassionate therapist and colleague. She has a warm, thoughtful style in which she individualizes treatment to each individual with her strong foundation in evidence-based practice. She is constantly pushing herself to learn and incorporate new approaches in order to give her clients the most effective treatment.

Emily Wharton, PsyD - Psychologist, ACT Trainer, Emily Wharton, PsyD

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The opinions and writing provided by Dr. Jakob here will not constitute - or serve as a substitute for - professional psychological treatment, therapy, or other professional advice or intervention.  Consult a physician or mental health professional if you have concerns about your well-being.