Jenna Eisen, PhD, MSEd
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Training: Dr. Jenna Eisen earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. Her first career as a teacher led her to Canisius College in Buffalo, NY where she completed a Master’s in Early Childhood and Childhood Education. Dr. Eisen later moved to beautiful San Diego, CA, where she earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University. She completed her pre-doctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Dr. Eisen’s fellowship focused on integrated care and family therapy and she received a post-degree certificate in Medical Family Therapy. At Genesee Valley Psychology Dr. Eisen honed her Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) skills for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In her private practice at Meridian, she specializes in treating a variety of anxiety disorders, depression, life transitions and other adjustment concerns, ADHD, behavioral concerns, relationship challenges, and general supportive therapy. Dr. Eisen is trained in SPACE training for parents and families struggling with anxious children (SPACE is a treatment designed to teach caregivers skills to manage child anxiety without the child needing to come to therapy— is shown to be as effective as child therapy). Dr. Eisen specializes in working with children, teens, parents, families, and young adults.
Clinical Expertise: Dr. Eisen’s training as a pediatric, family psychologist has provided her the opportunity to work with children, teens, adults, families, and couples across a variety of settings. Dr. Eisen has extensive experience working with issues such as anxiety, depression, developmental and behavioral needs, parenting, difficult adjustments, medical illnesses, and school concerns. She is particularly interested in the mind-body connection, interpersonal functioning and relationships, and how individuals, families, and members of a care team can effectively communicate. Dr. Eisen utilizes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), skills informed by Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), and family systems techniques to guide treatment.
Approach: Rooted in evidence-based therapies, Dr. Eisen’s approach is client and family-centered, utilizing individual and family strengths as a catalyst for change. Dr. Eisen sees the therapeutic relationship as a vital component to treatment. Her warm, collaborative stance helps to create an environment where clients can develop and practice skills to transfer to their daily lives. Dr. Eisen’s ultimate goal is to support clients and families in experiencing improvements in functioning and quality of life.
Diversity & Inclusion: Dr. Eisen is committed to creating an environment that feels safe and inclusive, where clients can explore various aspects of their identities. She values discussions with teens and young adults around the complex process of individuating from their families of origin. Dr. Eisen is passionate about cultural humility and has an ongoing personal and professional practice related to this.
