About Me
My name is Justine Gordon and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Born and raised in California, I have always loved getting to know new people and place a high value on being open-minded and caring. I earned my bachelor’s degree in dance at Pitzer College, followed by two years of pre-med at Loyola Marymount University and two years of medical school at Western University of Health Sciences. During medical school, I discovered my passion for psychotherapy and pursued my Master’s in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy at Pepperdine University.
I have trained and provided therapy at Jump Street, a crisis residential treatment program run by Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, and Airport Marina Counseling Services, a nonprofit community-based mental health clinic. My work as a therapist is deeply informed by my life experiences, personal challenges, and my own path toward healing and acceptance.
I believe every client is unique and deserves to be listened to and understood in a thoughtful, intentional, and empathetic way.
My Approach
I am passionate about creating a safe, kind, collaborative, and judgment-free space where clients can learn more about themselves, attain new insights, experience new feelings, and find a renewed sense of physical and mental well-being.
I have experience working with individuals struggling with grief, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and relational conflict. In my work I draw from multiple evidence-based approaches including Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I believe that past experiences and traumas dating back to childhood strongly influence the way we feel about ourselves and others and that, in order to change these feelings, we must first bring them into consciousness. I will prompt you to explore your past and listen for repeating patterns that might be dictating current relationships and functioning. My approach to processing trauma involves attending not only to the mind but also the body; I will facilitate you in the process of connecting the two.
I also believe that maladaptive or irrational thoughts strongly influence how we feel and behave. By exploring and reframing these thoughts I can help you reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Additionally, difficult emotions are inherent to a full life and learning to accept and tolerate these while living according to your values can lead to further healing. By balancing these two approaches I believe that you can lead a life in which you feel more connected to yourself, others and the world.
My Trainings
• Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Components of Care - Postpartum Support International
• Emotion-Focused Therapy Level 1 Training - Emotion Focused Therapy Institute
• EMDR PART 1 - EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs
• Mentalizing Based Therapy (MBT) Basic & Practitioner Training - Mentalizing Initiative
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training - Psychwire
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – Introductory and Skills-Based - Airport Marina
• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST, 15 hours) - Didi Hirsch
• Seeking Safety – Evidence-Based Model for Trauma/Substance Use - Didi Hirsch
• Crisis-Oriented Recovery Services - Didi Hirsch
Some fun facts
Favorite Book
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Sunday Vibe
A good cup of coffee, hanging out with my family, sneaking in a hot yoga class & wrapping up the day with takeout & a movie.
Favorite Quote
“What we don’t need in the midst of struggle is shame for being human.” — Brené Brown
If I Wasn’t A Therapist, I’d Be…
If I wasn’t a therapist, I’d be a party planner. I’ve always loved bringing people together & creating spaces that feel warm, fun, and memorable.
Favorite Song Lyrics
You, who are on the road / Must have a code you try to live by / And so become yourself / Because the past is just a goodbye / Teach your children well / Their father's hell did slowly go by / Feed them on your dreams / The one they pick's the one you'll know by
Teach Your Children by Corsby, Stills & Nash
Comfort TV Show or Movie
My comfort show is Parenthood. I love how it captures the beauty and chaos of family life. My comfort movie is Notting Hill. There’s something timeless about its humor, charm & big-hearted message that love can show up in the most unexpected places. It never fails to make me smile.